Bulgaria, Romania partially join EU's visa-free Schengen zone
After a 13-year journey towards greater integration, Bulgaria and Romania have achieved a significant milestone by entering the expansive Schengen area of Europe. Effective Sunday, this move facilitates seamless air and sea travel within the Schengen zone by eliminating border checks. However, due to concerns over potential asylum seekers, Austria has limited this open border status to only air and sea routes through a veto.
With Bulgaria and Romania joining, tourists flying into these countries will no longer need separate visas and can use their existing Schengen visas. Those travelling by road will still require additional documentation. The Schengen zone now consists of 29 members, including various EU states, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Romania plans to implement Schengen rules at four sea ports and 17 airports, with Bucharest’s Otopeni airport serving as a key travel hub.
Challenges remain, especially regarding border security and combating illegal migration. Both countries aim for full integration into Schengen by year’s end, though Austria’s concession currently only applies to air and sea routes. Croatia became the 27th Schengen member in January 2023 after joining the EU after Bulgaria and Romania.
While a celebratory milestone for many, it has left truck drivers feeling neglected, facing prolonged border queues and financial losses. Road transport unions like Romania’s UNTRR advocate urgent measures to address these issues and the significant economic impact on hauliers.
Despite challenges, Bucharest and Sofia affirm their commitment to irreversible progress. Romanian Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu asserts completing integration by 2024, extending it to land borders. As Bulgaria and Romania take this big step forward, the path towards a more unified Europe continues, albeit with hurdles yet to overcome.