Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Council of the EU agrees to remove air and maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria and Romania

Photo: archive

Late last night, the Council of the European Union confirmed that Bulgaria and Romania will join the Schengen area, starting with air and sea borders. The Commission welcomed the unanimous decision by the Council to welcome Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area, starting with lifting controls at air and sea borders as of March 2024.

European Council President Charles Michel wrote on the social network X: “Congratulations to Romania and Bulgaria on the extension of Schengen for maritime and air transport passengers. A long awaited step for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens to enjoy easier freedom of movement with the perspective of land transport to come.”

''Today is a day of great pride for Bulgaria and Romania. The decision to lift internal air and sea border checks with Bulgaria and Romania is a major step forward for them and for the Schengen area. Both have worked hard for it. They both deserve it. They will make Schengen even stronger’’, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

Discussions on a date for a possible lifting of the checks on persons at internal land borders will continue in 2024 and a decision by the Council on this matter is expected to be taken within a reasonable time frame, the European Commission wrote. To assist Bulgaria and Romania in protecting the external borders of the Union, substantial financial support and Frontex assistance will continue to be provided, the Commission wrote further.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgaria relies on the honorary consuls in the country to help create new partnerships

Bulgaria relies on the efforts of honorary consuls from around the world to help establish new partnerships in the fields of economy, trade, innovation, education and tourism. Our country can become more visible by restoring its positions and building..

published on 11/3/25 6:10 PM

EU report urges North Macedonia to include Bulgarians in the constitution

North Macedonia has still not adopted the necessary constitutional amendments aimed at including Bulgarians and other non-majority communities in the constitution. This is stated in the annual report of the European Commission on the progress of EU..

published on 11/3/25 5:22 PM

"Vazrazhdane" party hold protest against the euro and the visit of Christine Lagarde to Sofia

With shouts "No to the euro", about a hundred supporters of "Vazrazhdane" gathered to protest in front of the building of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) in Sofia. The protest is being held over a planned official visit of the..

published on 11/3/25 12:40 PM