In 2024, Romania and Bulgaria will join the Schengen area. This will allow people to move freely without passport control at the internal borders with other members of the zone. Tourists will be able to travel freely without worrying about additional formalities at internal borders. Find out more about how such innovations can affect tourists and what benefits can be expected

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On March 31, 2024, Romania and Bulgaria will officially join the Schengen area, making their territory available for free movement for 400 million citizens. Both countries, which have been EU members since 2007, were not previously part of the visa-free zone, so tourists had to show their passports upon entry. This step is expected to simplify border controls between Romania and Bulgaria in 2024, making travel more convenient for citizens of these countries and tourists.

Earlier, we have already talked about the peculiarities of Bulgaria and Romania's accession to the Schengen area in a previous article.

What should travellers know about Bulgaria and Romania's accession to the Schengen area?

One of the main advantages of this accession is the abolition of passport control for those arriving by air or sea from other Schengen countries. The ministries of interior of both countries have announced that some border checks will be cancelled.

Passengers on flights, cruises, and ferries can now travel without having to show their passports upon arrival, making travel between these countries even easier and more efficient. However, for those travelling overland (by train or bus), it remains mandatory to have an ID card due to the veto received from Austria.

Travellers should be aware that the abolition of land checks has not yet been established, and a new decision on this issue is pending. Such restrictions are related to the difficulty of harmonizing national border rules, but Romania and Bulgaria's accession to Schengen is an important step in facilitating movement between countries and stimulating tourist traffic.

Which European countries will tourists be able to enter without a passport?

Croatia became the latest country to join the Schengen area in 2022. Currently, this zone unites 27 countries, 23 of which are members of the European Union and four more are associate members of the European Free Trade Association.

The Schengen area was established in 1995 after the signing of the Schengen Agreement between the five member states of the European Economic Community: Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Since then, several other agreements have been signed, and the area was expanded to nine countries in 2007.

If you are planning a trip to one of these countries, we recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy. On the Visit World portal, you can buy insurance from the best trusted agents and be guaranteed to receive high-quality medical care anywhere in the world. All you need to do is to indicate your destination country and citizenship via the link and choose the insurance policy you need.

For travellers without EU citizenship, it is important to remember that stays in Bulgaria and Romania are now counted towards the time spent in the Schengen area and cannot exceed 90 days in any 180-day period. This information allows you to effectively plan your travels within the zone and take full advantage of free movement, which contributes to the development of tourism in the region.

Daria Rogova, Head of Insurance at Visit World

To move, travel or work safely in a new country, you will need travel insurance. You can apply for an extended policy on our website here.

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