Bulgaria and Romania to join Schengen zone on March 31
On March 31, Romania and Bulgaria will join the Schengen area, which allows 400 million citizens to move freely between its member countries.
The two states joined the EU back in 2007, but because they were not part of the border-free zone, travellers still had to show passports upon entry.
In 2024, border controls for the two countries will be simplified. Here’s what you need to know about these changes if you’re planning to visit Romania and Bulgaria.
Do you need a passport to enter Romania and Bulgaria?
When Romania and Bulgaria join the Schengen area, it will become easier for travelers to visit the two countries.
In December, the interior ministries of the two countries announced the abolition of some border checks.
Travellers arriving by air or sea from other Schengen countries will no longer have to show their passports on arrival. This means that passengers on flights, cruises and ferries will not be subject to checks.
However, if you travel to Romania and Bulgaria by car, train or bus, you will still need to carry an ID card, as the rules for crossing land borders have not yet been established. This is due to a veto imposed by Austria.
“A new decision will need to be taken to set a date for the abolition of controls at land borders,” the European Council said on its website.
Which European countries can you enter without a passport?
The last country to join the Schengen area was Croatia in 2022.
Every year, 1.25 billion trips are made within this zone, and 3.5 million people cross the borders of participating countries every day.
Not counting Romania and Bulgaria, the Schengen area includes 27 states. 23 of them are EU members and 4 are associated states of the European Free Trade Association: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
