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

Traffic on the Danube Bridge near Ruse has been temporarily restored

Traffic on the Danube Bridge near Bulgaria's Ruse on the border with Romania has been temporarily restored in both directions as of today . Due to the expected increased traffic through the border crossing during the upcoming Christmas and New Year..

published on 12/20/24 6:18 PM

Avalanche in Pirin Mountain close to Bansko, one person dies

An avalanche has fallen in Pirin Mountain close to Bansko ski resort and has buried people . The Mountain Rescue Service has reported that one of the buried people - a 25-year-old snowboarder - has died. Two others - a snowboarder and a skier - were..

published on 12/20/24 6:12 PM
Viktor Orban (L) and Rumen Radev, Sofia, 20 December, 2024

President Radev: Bulgaria continues to be a reliable partner to Hungary in the energy sector

President Rumen Radev met in Sofia with the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban who is paying a visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of the Bulgarian president. Rumen Radev stated that Bulgaria will continue to be a reliable partner to Hungary in..

published on 12/20/24 3:52 PM