Schengen vs. Non-Schengen Airport Lounges: Which Can You Use in Europe?

When deciding which lounge to use at airports in Europe, you need to be mindful of the difference between Schengen and non-Schengen lounges.

That's because, depending on where you're flying to, you may only be able to access certain parts of the terminal.

In many countries, airports are divided into separate terminals or sections for domestic and international departures. Europe works a bit differently because many European countries are part of a open travel zone known as the Schengen Area.

There are usually no internal border controls when traveling between countries within the Schengen Area. But when traveling between a Schengen and a non-Schengen country, you do need to clear passport control (also known as Immigration). Therefore, many European airport terminals are split into separate sections for Schengen and Non-Schengen departures.

Here's what this means for accessing airport lounges in Europe.

The first thing you need to understand is what the Schengen Area actually is.

Originally introduced in 1995, the Schengen Area now comprises 29 European countries that have agreed to abolish internal border controls.

Officially, this means that people can move freely, without border checks, between each of the Schengen countries. So, flights between 2 Schengen member states are effectively treated the same as a "domestic" flight in other parts of the world.

The Schengen Area is made up of all European Union (EU) member countries, except Ireland and Cyprus. There are also 4 non-EU countries that are part of the Schengen Area: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Many continental European countries (including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain) are part of Schengen. However, the UK and Ireland are not in the Schengen Area, and not all Balkan and Eastern European countries participate.

This map shows all of the countries in the Schengen Area:

At airports in European countries that are part of the Schengen Area, you'll generally find lounges in any of the following 3 locations:

At a small number of European airports, such as Paris Charles de Gaulle or Prague Airport, Schengen and non-Schengen flights depart from separate terminals.

In these cases, passengers flying to a non-Schengen country may not actually be able to access the part of the terminal dedicated to Schengen Departures. But this is the exception, rather than the rule.

Helsinki Airport is a good example of a typical European airport in the Schengen Area with a single terminal building.

At Helsinki, all passengers — flying to both Schengen and non-Schengen destinations — check in and clear security at the same place.

After clearing security, any departing passenger who starts their journey in Helsinki can access the Schengen Departures area (Gates 5-36) of the airport.

Lounges in the Schengen Departures area of Helsinki Airport include:

• The Finnair Lounge & Platinum Corner (near Gate 21)

• Aspire Lounges (near Gates 13 and 27)

• OP Lounge by Aspire (near Gate 22)

However, passengers flying to non-Schengen destinations need to then clear passport control to access their departure gate. The area after passport control (Gates 37-60) is only accessible to those on non-Schengen flights, meaning the lounges in the Non-Schengen Departures area are not accessible to passengers flying to Schengen countries.

Lounges in the Non-Schengen Departures area of Helsinki Airport include:

• Finnair Lounge & Platinum Wing (near Gate 52)

• Plaza Premium Lounge (near Gate 40)

Things get a bit more complicated if you're transiting at an airport within the Schengen Area, rather than starting your journey there.

If you're transiting between 2 Schengen flights, you'll be able to remain in the Schengen Departures area. Similarly, if connecting between 2 non-Schengen flights, you'll remain in the Non-Schengen Departures area (you may first need to clear transit security on arrival, depending on the airport).

If connecting from a Schengen to a non-Schengen destination, you'll generally have access to both the Schengen Departures area before clearing passport control, and the Non-Schengen Departures area after passport control.

Finally, if connecting from a non-Schengen to a Schengen destination, you'll clear passport control on arrival and then have access to the lounges in the Schengen Departures area.

In general, if you have the choice, it's best to use a lounge that's located in the section of the terminal where your flight will depart from.

So, if you're flying to a Schengen country, make sure you book a lounge accessible from the Schengen departure gates.

If you're flying to a non-Schengen destination, the most convenient option is usually to book a lounge in the Non-Schengen Departures area. If there isn't one available, you may be able to access a lounge in the Schengen Departures section of the terminal instead. Just make sure you allow enough time to clear passport control and get to your gate before boarding starts. And check whether the lounge requires a boarding pass for a Schengen flight.

You should also ensure you choose a lounge in the same physical terminal as your departing flight. At some larger airports with multiple terminals, you may not be able to freely switch between terminals.

If you're considering purchasing a lounge access pass, you can compare options available through LoungePair by searching for your preferred airport. Check the location of the lounge (Schengen vs. non-Schengen) before making your purchase.

When deciding which lounge to use at airports in Europe, you need to consider whether your flight is to a Schengen or non-Schengen country. This impacts the lounges that you will be able to access.

In general, passengers flying within the Schengen Area can only access the part of the airport dedicated to Schengen flight departures. These are flights to many countries on the European continent, including France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.

Passengers flying on non-Schengen flights can access non-Schengen lounges in their departure terminal, and in many cases also the lounges in the Schengen Departures section (before clearing passport control). Non-Schengen flights are to countries outside the Schengen Area, such as the UK, Ireland, and all intercontinental destinations.