Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria joins Schengen by air and sea

Mariya Gabriel and Nikolai Denkov, March 31.
Photo: BTA

Bulgaria and Romania have joined the Schengen area by air and sea. As of today, 31 March, all Schengen rules, the Schengen rules will apply in both Member States including on issuing Schengen visas and controls at the internal air and sea borders will be lifted, the Commission said. 

Bulgaria's accession to Schengen was marked by a symbolic opening of the border at Sofia airport.
There is an action plan for the lifting of checks at internal land borders into the land-based Schengen as of 1 January 2025, outgoing Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said. We can achieve this if we are united, otherwise we may miss the window of opportunity, which may not open in the near future. We are looking for a good political moment after the elections in Austria or the vote in the EU Parliament, Denkov said, when asked when land border controls would be lifted.
"Bulgaria is no longer just an observer in the debates on how to shape a strengthened, strong, well-functioning Schengen area, the country has a lot to contribute with its experience, said outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel.



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

Daytime temperatures on the rise, no precipitation on Thursday

On Thursday , the minimum temperatures will be between 5 and 10°C, in Sofia 6°C.   The day's highs will be from 23°C to 28°C , in the capital it will be 25°C.   During the day it will be sunny with scattered high clouds. It will become..

published on 10/2/24 7:35 PM

Prime Minister Glavchev: Currently there is no threat to the security of the country

At present, there is no information indicating a threat to the security of Bulgarian citizens. However, enhanced security measures have been taken in the country and security has been provided at strategic locations. This was announced after the end..

published on 10/2/24 7:20 PM

No reports of injured Bulgarians after the escalation of tensions in the Middle East

The Bulgarian foreign ministry is in constant contact with the Bulgarian embassies in Beirut, Tel Aviv and Tehran,  announced by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elena Shekerletova, at a briefing in the Council of Ministers. The..

published on 10/2/24 5:33 PM