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

Bulgaria and Romania to discuss full Schengen membership with Austria in Budapest 

Photo: ЕПА/БГНЕС

A meeting of the interior ministers of Bulgaria, Romania and Austria in Budapest could lead to a change in Austria's stance on the two countries joining the Schengen area. This is reported in the Austrian media. 

The meeting will take place on 22 November, the Austrian Ministry of the Interior has confirmed, reports BNR Horizon. It will be hosted by Hungary, which holds the EU presidency. Vienna, currently the only country opposing full Schengen membership for Bulgaria and Romania, has set conditions for lifting its veto, such as increased funding for external border security and more border controls between Bulgaria and Romania.

Asked by a journalist whether the Austrian veto could be expected to be lifted, the Austrian Interior Ministry responded with statistics showing a significant decrease in the number of illegal border crossings into Bulgaria and Romania - by 46% and 10% respectively compared to last year.



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

A warning for dangerous rainfall has been issued for 12 regions in Southern Bulgaria

On Friday, the lowest temperatures will be between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 12°C in the southeast, around 6°C in Sofia . During the next 24 hours, the weather will remain cloudy. It will rain in almost the entire country. During the day, rainfall..

published on 11/27/25 6:45 PM

Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev released pending trial on €102,258 bond

The Varna District Court has released the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on a financial bond of €102,258. Before the court’s decision was announced, supporters of the mayor and members of the We Continue the Change party gathered outside the..

published on 11/27/25 5:37 PM

Three detained and five police officers injured at last night's protest in Sofia

Three people, including an Italian citizen, were arrested during last night's protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget in front of the National Assembly, the director of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir..

published on 11/27/25 3:50 PM