Bulgaria joins Schengen by air and sea

published on 3/31/24 1:02 PM

Mariya Gabriel and Nikolai Denkov, March 31.

Photo: BTA

Bulgaria and Romania have joined the Schengen area by air and sea. As of today, 31 March, all Schengen rules, the Schengen rules will apply in both Member States including on issuing Schengen visas and controls at the internal air and sea borders will be lifted, the Commission said.

Bulgaria's accession to Schengen was marked by a symbolic opening of the border at Sofia airport.

At Sofia Airport after Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen by air and sea

There is an action plan for the lifting of checks at internal land borders into the land-based Schengen as of 1 January 2025, outgoing Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said. We can achieve this if we are united, otherwise we may miss the window of opportunity, which may not open in the near future. We are looking for a good political moment after the elections in Austria or the vote in the EU Parliament, Denkov said, when asked when land border controls would be lifted.

Bulgaria will be fully part of Schengen by the end of 2024, Interior Minister says

"Bulgaria is no longer just an observer in the debates on how to shape a strengthened, strong, well-functioning Schengen area, the country has a lot to contribute with its experience, said outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel.

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Bulgaria joins Schengen by air and sea

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