European Union/Schengen Area: Bulgaria, Romania to Partially Join Schengen Area in March 2024

• Land border checks to continue. Until further notice, border checks will continue to apply for any land-based travel between either Bulgaria or Romania and other Schengen Area countries.
• National entry visas. 
  • Update January 8, 2024: Following further guidance from EU officials, it has been clarified that Bulgaria and Romania are expected to start issuing uniform Schengen C visas from March 31, 2024.
  • Generally, national entry visas only provide transit rights through Schengen Area countries (unless the Schengen Area country has specifically granted entry and stay rights for such visas).

Air and sea travel between Bulgaria, Romania and Schengen Area countries will become easier and quicker, as affected travelers will no longer be subject to border control inspections.

Bulgaria and Romania – which entered the European Union in 2007 ­– have been trying to join the Schengen Area for over a decade. In recent times, Austria has opposed admitting Bulgaria and Romania, citing concerns about management of irregular migration. In December 2023, Austria conceded this position and allowed the removal of border checks for air and sea travel.

In 2024, the European Council will continue talks to lift land border checks with Bulgaria and Romania. No date has yet been set for a further vote on this issue. We will monitor and report related developments. Update – December 12, 2024: The European Council has confirmed that effective January 1, 2025, Bulgaria and Romania will fully join the Schengen Area, with border checks for land-based travel to cease.