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

Delyan Peevski

''DPS – New Beginning'' urges that local taxes remain unchanged in 2026

“I call on all representatives of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms in local government — mayors and municipal councilors — to ensure security and predictability for the people and to take the necessary steps to keep all local taxes and fees..

published on 11/25/25 10:02 AM

Bulgaria rises in global digital quality of life ranking

Bulgaria has climbed to 11th place in this year’s Digital Quality of Life 2025 (DQL) index published by Surfshark, up from 18th last year, BTA reported. The index evaluates countries’ digital well-being across five dimensions: fixed broadband..

published on 11/25/25 9:45 AM
Todor Chobanov

Bulgaria expects the return of over 2,700 antiques from abroad

Around 90% of the antiques seized during an international operation targeting a cultural property trafficking network will be returned to Bulgaria, Deputy Minister of Culture Todor Chobanov told “Nova TV”.   “This is an unprecedented operation in..

published on 11/25/25 9:22 AM