Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen - What it Means for Travel

Bulgaria and Romania joining the Schengen Area has important implications for travel across Europe. It impacts all tourists, both visa holders and EU citizens alike. This is what you need to know.

From 1 March 2024 Bulgaria and Romania will officially be part of the Schengen Zone. Starting with air and sea borders, this means no more passport checks when travelling from other Schengen countries to either of these countries. On the flip side, it also means that Schengen Visa holders will no longer be able to visit Bulgaria or Romania as a way of extending their 90-day visa.

What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area allows for people to travel freely between member countries, without the need for border controls. As of 1 March 2024, with Bulgaria and Romania joining, it will encompass 29 countries which have officially agreed to remove border controls between their mutual borders.

Map of Schengen Countries (blue)

What This Means For Your Travels

At this stage the border controls will be lifted at land and sea borders. Discussions to lift the controls on land borders will continue in 2024.

Bulgaria and Romania joining the Schengen Area has direct implications for travellers. Here’s what’s changed:

For Non-EU Nationals on the Schengen 90-Day Visa

If you’re visiting Europe under the Schengen 90-day visa, the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania brings added convenience and accessibility. Travellers entering into these countries from within the Schengen Area will no longer face checks, enhancing the seamless travel experience.

However, travellers on the 90-day visa will no longer be able to use Bulgaria or Romania as a way of extending their time in Europe. As of 1 March 2024, days spent in these countries will contribute to total Schengen days. Be careful not to overstay the 90 days within 180-days and plan your travels accordingly.

For EU Citizens

For EU citizens, the expansion of the Schengen Area to include Bulgaria and Romania signifies enhanced mobility and integration. You can now travel freely between these countries and other Schengen member states without encountering border checks.

Woman Travelling thanks to the Bulgaria Romania Schengen Visa — With Bulgaria and Romania joining Schengen, air travel controls will be removed for travelling within the Schengen area.

Key Considerations for Travelers

Border Controls: With Bulgaria and Romania joining the Schengen Area, travellers can expect smoother border crossings within the Schengen Area. The abolition of checks at internal borders streamlines travel logistics, allowing tourists to focus on enjoying their journey.
Visa Requirements: Travellers holding the Schengen 90-day visa can explore Bulgaria and Romania as part of their European itinerary without the need for additional visas or formalities. This simplifies travel planning and encourages visitors to discover the diverse landscapes and cultural heritage of these countries.
Counting Schengen Days: If you’re on a 90-day Schengen visa, time spent in Bulgaria or Romania will now count towards your total Schengen days. Be sure to plan your itineraries carefully to avoid exceeding the 90-day within 180-day limit.
Tourism Opportunities: The inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen Area increases tourism opportunities for travellers. From exploring historic landmarks to immersing in local traditions, tourists can embark on enriching experiences across these more accessible destinations.
Currency: Joining Schengen does not mean changing currencies. Bulgaria or Romania will not be changing to the Euro when they join Schengen. Travellers will still need to pay using the local currency.

Roman Theatre of Philippopolis, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. — The Roman Theatre of Philippopolis, Plovdiv, Bulgaria – From March 2024 travellers on a Schengen Visa (or EU citizens) will be able to visit Bulgaria without an additional visa.

Conclusion – Visa Free Travel

As Bulgaria and Romania integrate into the Schengen Area, the future of European travel becomes more interconnected and inclusive. Bulgaria and Romania have removed land and sea border controls for Schengen countries and are expected to also remove land border controls in 2024. Joining Schengen creates border free travel for EU citizens. However, travellers on the 90-day Schengen Visa will no longer be able to visit Bulgaria or Romania to extend their time in Europe. From March 2024, visiting Bulgaria and Romania will now count towards total Schengen days.

Will Bulgaria and Romania joining the Schengen area encourage you to travel, or stop you visiting due to the 90-day rule?

Let me know in the comments below.

Happy Exploring!

Kieren

FAQ – Bulgaria and Romania Schengen Visa Travel

The only two EU countries not part of Schengen are Ireland and Cyprus. These are good options for people wishing to remain within the EU but extend their 90-day visa.

With the integration of Bulgaria and Romania, the Schengen Area now consists of 29 countries and covers most of mainland Europe. Twenty five of these belong to the EU and four are associated with the European Free Trade Association. Those countries that fall within the Schengen Area listed here:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

There are still many excellent options within Europe that are not part of the Schengen area. Consider planning a visit to the Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia or Albania) or Türkiye to extend your 90-days within 180-days. Alternatively, consider the United Kingdom and Ireland for a more Western European Adventure.

Yep – From 1 March 2024 any time spent in Bulgaria and Romania will count towards your total Schengen visa days. Take care when planning to avoid overstaying your visa.

No, changing the the Euro is separate to joining Schengen and has different criteria. Bulgaria is currently using the Lev and is planning to switch to the Euro in January 2025, provided that it can meet the requirements. Romania is currently using the Lue and is working towards switching to the Euro by 2026.

Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen – What it Means for Travel