The Schengen area, a symbol of free travel within Europe, is preparing to expand. According to official reports, Romania and Bulgaria will join the visa-free zone from January 1, 2025. This decision will allow people to travel freely without passport control at internal borders with other members of the zone. Find out how such innovations could affect tourists and what benefits you can expect

From 1 January 2025, Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full members of the Schengen area. This decision will allow 450 million citizens to travel freely between the member states.

Both countries have been EU members since 2007, but previously they were not part of the visa-free zone, so tourists were forced to show their passports when entering each of them. From now on, border controls have been simplified.

Everything you need to know about traveling to and from Romania and Bulgaria is further in this article.

What will change for tourists after Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen area?

One of the main advantages of full entry into the Schengen area is the abolition of passport controls for those arriving by any mode of transport from other Schengen countries.

From 31 March 2024, Romania and Bulgaria have entered the Schengen area by air and sea, but not by land. This rule will now apply to all modes of transport.

However, it is too early to talk about the complete abolition of border checks. Although Romania and Bulgaria will be full members, the European Commission is not yet ready to abolish all border checks. The organization envisages continuing checks at the land borders between Hungary and Romania and between Romania and Bulgaria for at least six months in order to prevent any serious threat to public policy and internal security.

Do you need a passport to travel to Romania and Bulgaria?

The temporary extension of checks means that if you are driving or arriving by train or bus to Romania and Bulgaria, you still need to have your passport with you.

However, travelers arriving by air or sea from other Schengen countries will no longer have to show their passports upon arrival. This means that passengers on flights, cruises and ferries will not undergo passport checks.

Important! Travelers without EU citizenship should remember that a stay in Bulgaria and Romania counts towards the time spent in the Schengen area, which cannot exceed 90 days in a 180-day period.

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Membership in the Schengen area: important milestones for Romania and Bulgaria

Back in 2011, the European Commission (EC) determined that both Eastern European countries were ready to become Schengen members. However, despite this statement, neither country was allowed to join the organization.

Other EU members, including Germany and France, were against the countries joining the Schengen area, as they were concerned about the issue of illegal migration. Romania and Bulgaria actively worked to resolve this issue, approving the necessary documents to confirm their clear position.

Last year, the Netherlands lifted its veto, and in November 2024, the last EU country to lift its ban was Austria. From now on, there are no obstacles on the path of Romania and Bulgaria to EU membership. The decision on the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area was adopted at the meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council on 12 December 2024.

How many countries are part of the Schengen area in 2025?

Currently, including Romania and Bulgaria, the Schengen area includes 29 countries:

- 25 are part of the EU;

- 4 are associated countries of the European Free Trade Association: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Every year, 1.25 billion trips are made within the area, and 3.5 million people cross the borders of the participating countries every day.

The entry of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area is an important step that will be a new stage for the economy of each country, and especially for the tourism sector.

Let's remind you! Bulgaria and Romania have joined the European Schengen area of ​​free movement. Such changes have simplified travel to the countries for millions of travelers. We have already told you why tourists should visit Romania in 2025.

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Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

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