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

Bulgaria and Romania become full members of Schengen

Photo: EPA/BGNES-archive

The Council of the European Union decided that checks at the land Schengen borders of Bulgaria and Romania will be lifted from January 1, the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU said. In 2024, checks at the air and sea Schengen borders of the two countries were also removed. Bulgaria and Romania will continue to conduct random checks at their Schengen borders for another 6 months. ''This is a great victory for Bulgaria, Romania and all of Europe'', the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU said.

'' It is a historic decision that completes the process of accession of the two countries to the area of free movement within EU, a major objective of both the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania since their accession to the European Union. The accession to the free-movement area of both countries brings direct benefits for their citizens, will enhance economic opportunities for their businesses, and will also promote growth within the Single Market. It is a reconfirmation of the values and principles that builds up their citizens’ trust in the European project. From now on, Bulgarian and Romanian citizens are entitled to fully enjoy the benefits of the free movement within the Schengen area. Both countries remain engaged in bringing their substantive contribution to the protection of EU external borders and the consolidation of the European project.'', the document further states. 




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

The new chairman of the parliamentary group of DPS-DPS, Hayri Sadakov

DPS-DPS: There is no unification with DPS-New Beginning

"The unilateral decision of Dzhevdet Chakarov to leave the chairmanship of DPS-DPS is a pitiful personal capitulation to Delyan Peevski (leader of DPS - New Beginning). Such actions are in sharp contrast to the moral and democratic principles on which..

published on 5/27/25 6:06 PM

DiscoverEU: 561 Bulgarian youth to travel for free across Europe

Nearly 36,000 young people, including 561 from Bulgaria, will be able to travel for free across Europe thanks to their participation in the European Commission's DiscoverEU initiative. The trips must take place between 1 July 2025 and 30 September..

published on 5/28/25 6:05 AM
Miroslav Borshosh (C)

Visa waiver for Bulgarians travelling to the US among government priorities, says Minister of Tourism

Bulgaria’s accession to the United States Visa Waiver Program is a strategic priority for the Bulgarian government , Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh announced at the opening of an information event focused on visa procedures aimed at expanding tourism..

published on 5/27/25 4:44 PM