Bulgaria And Romania To Partially Join Schengen Area On March 31, 2024

[Editor2]

Overview

Effective March 31, 2024, Bulgaria and Romania will partially join the Schengen Area, resulting in the cessation of border checks for air- and sea-based travel between these countries and other Schengen Area nations. The European Council will continue discussions to eliminate land border checks in the future.

Schengen Allowance

Starting March 31, 2024, the days spent in Bulgaria and Romania will count toward the Schengen Area's maximum allowance of 90 days within any 180-day period. While Romanian authorities have already confirmed this policy, Bulgarian authorities initially had not but have since clarified their stance as of June 20, 2024. Consequently, both Bulgaria and Romania will now follow the standard Schengen Area allowance rules.

Visa Changes

Currently, Bulgaria and Romania issue national entry visas. However, beginning March 31, 2024, these countries will start issuing uniform Schengen C visas, streamlining the visa process for travelers. The Romanian e-visa portal will be unavailable for short-stay visa applications from March 1 to March 30, 2024. During this period, emergency visa applications must be made directly through Romanian consular posts. Bulgaria has yet to confirm its method for Schengen C visa applications and currently lacks an online portal.

Schengen Area Composition

The Schengen Area comprises 27 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Impact on Travelers

Starting March 31, 2024, air and sea travel between Bulgaria, Romania, and other Schengen Area countries will become more streamlined, as border checks for these modes of transport will be eliminated. Travelers, particularly visa-exempt nationals and Schengen C visa holders, and their employers should monitor their stay in Bulgaria and Romania to avoid overstaying and potential non-compliance violations.

Background

Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union in 2007 and have been working towards Schengen Area membership for over a decade. Austria previously opposed their admission due to concerns about the management of irregular migration but relented in December 2023, allowing the removal of border checks for air and sea travel.

Looking Ahead

In 2024, the European Council will continue discussions on lifting land border checks with Bulgaria and Romania. No specific date has been set for a vote on this matter. Further developments will be monitored and reported as they arise.

Pros

Ease of Travel: Border checks for air and sea travel between Bulgaria, Romania, and Schengen Area countries will be eliminated, facilitating easier and quicker travel.

Uniform Visa System: The issuance of Schengen C visas by Bulgaria and Romania will streamline the visa process and improve consistency across the Schengen Area.

Schengen Allowance Integration: Inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen allowance simplifies tracking days spent within the Schengen Area for travelers.

Cons

Monitoring Requirements: Travelers and employers must closely track stays in Bulgaria and Romania to avoid overstays and potential non-compliance.

Temporary Disruption: The temporary unavailability of the Romanian e-visa portal in March 2024 may cause inconvenience for travelers needing short-stay visas.

Land Border Uncertainty: The continued presence of land border checks may still pose challenges for travelers until further agreements are reached.

 

[petter]

This decision to integrate Bulgaria and Romania partially into the Schengen Area is quite momentous. The cessation of border checks for air and sea travel is a significant step towards streamlined mobility within Europe. It is essential to note the ramifications on the Schengen allowance and the uniform visa system.

 

[cmarchan]

whAt aBouT LAND borders? r there gonna be more discssions on that? I find this confusing

 

[koechamos]

Interesting news! This should make travel between these countries much easier. But what about the land border checks?

 

[adamhholmes]

It's clear from the European Council's deliberations that land border checks will remain for now, but they are under continued discussion. This phased approach makes sense to manage potential migration concerns effectively.

 

[jennifer.javier]

Does anyone know if the changes to the visa system mean that current Bulgarian or Romanian visas will still be valid after March 31, 2024? Or will new Schengen C visas need to be issued immediately?

 

[daveyp]

Current national visas from Bulgaria and Romania will remain valid until their expiration. However, new applications post-March 31, 2024, will need to be for Schengen C visas. This is to ensure uniformity within the Schengen Area visa system.

 

[lindsay253]

It's great that travel will be easier, but the temporary disruption with the Romanian e-visa portal could be a real headache. What are people supposed to do if they need an emergency visa during that period?

 

[nickdev]

It's great that travel will be easier, but the temporary disruption with the Romanian e-visa portal could be a real headache. What are people supposed to do if they need an emergency visa during that period?

It was mentioned that during the e-visa portal's downtime, emergency visa applications must be made directly through Romanian consular posts. This workaround is not ideal but at least there is a provision for urgent cases.

 

[steven.harrington]

The transition to Schengen C visas for Bulgaria and Romania should, in the long run, reduce complexity for travelers. However, it's imperative for travelers and their employers to stay vigilant about the 90/180 day rule to avoid potential non-compliance issues.