The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished their internal borders and created a common area of free movement for their citizens. It is named after the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, where the agreement that created it was signed in 1985. In the Schengen Area, there are no passport checks or other border controls between member countries, which means that citizens of these countries can travel freely within the area without showing their passports.