Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Zone After 13-Year Wait

After 13 years of waiting, Bulgaria and Romania are set to partially join the vast Schengen zone of free movement on Sunday, March 31, marking a significant milestone in European integration.

This move will enable seamless travel by air and sea, eliminating border checks in these domains. However, land border controls will persist due to Austria’s concerns over potential asylum seeker inflows.

What Does This Mean for Travellers?

For travellers, this means good news! You can now enjoy visa-free travel between Bulgaria, Romania, and other Schengen member states by air and sea. Existing Schengen visas will now be valid for travel to these countries as well.

However, if you were planning a land border crossing, be aware that controls are still in place due to Austria’s ongoing concerns about potential asylum seeker inflows. Discussions on full Schengen access, including land borders, are expected to continue throughout 2024.

Short-Term Schengen Visas

Following their partial integration into the Schengen Area, Bulgaria and Romania are set to introduce short-term Schengen visas from April 2024.

This significant development means that foreign nationals aiming to visit either Bulgaria or Romania for up to 90 days within a 180-day period can now apply for the widely recognized Schengen C visa.

Expansion of Schengen Zone

With Bulgaria and Romania’s inclusion, the Schengen zone will encompass 29 members, including 25 EU states and Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Romania plans to implement Schengen rules across four seaports and 17 airports, with Otopeni Airport near Bucharest serving as a key hub for Schengen flights.

Strengthened Border Security Measures

To ensure compliance and security, additional staff will be deployed at airports, ranging from border police to immigration officers. The government aims to prevent illegal departures from Romania by intensifying checks for false documents and combatting human trafficking, particularly involving minors.

Benefits and Challenges

This partial membership is a symbolic victory for Bulgaria and Romania, signifying their deeper integration within the European Union. Analysts see it as a matter of national pride and belonging.

The move is expected to boost tourism and trade within the Schengen zone. However, challenges remain. Businesses reliant on land transportation, like trucking companies, still face delays due to border controls.

Both countries have expressed their commitment to achieving full Schengen membership, including land borders, as soon as possible.

Must Read: New EU Rules Tighten Visa-Free Travel to Schengen Area

What’s Next?

While partial membership is a positive step, both Bulgaria and Romania remain committed to full Schengen integration. Negotiations with Austria and other member states will likely continue throughout 2024 to achieve this goal.

This would eliminate the need for any visa checks when travelling between Bulgaria, Romania, and other Schengen countries by land, air, or sea.