Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria and Romania remain outside Schengen

| updated on 12/8/22 6:12 PM
Photo: European Council

Only Croatia will be admitted to the Schengen area from January 1, while Bulgaria and Romania remain outside the open travel zone. In today's vote in the EU Council, Austria has blocked the accession of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen, while the Netherlands supported Romania's bid but opposed Bulgaria's
25 countries voted in favour of Bulgaria. Earlier it was reported that during the discussion the Netherlands had requested a new report on Bulgaria under the Cooperation and Verification and Mechanism (CVM). Introduced upon the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU, the CVM aimed to bring the two countries in line with EU standards in rule of law. The mechanism was lifted in 2019. The information was provided by BNR correspondent in Brussels Angelina Piskova.
Bulgaria has never had more support for Schengen. Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov said the issue would be raised at upcoming meetings with the European Union. He expects a new positive decision on Bulgaria's accession to Schengen in March

"The issue is political", caretaker Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev said with regard to the decision of Austria and the Netherlands to stop Bulgaria for Schengen. In his view, the Netherlands’ position is not constructive. "For the time being, Bulgaria will not take reciprocal measures", Minister Demerdzhiev said.



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

President blocks last-minute State Property Act amendments

President Rumen Radev has returned amendments to the State Property Act to Parliament for further discussion, the President’s press office announced. The changes were adopted on 31 July, the last working day before the National Assembly’s summer recess...

published on 8/11/25 1:23 PM
Angelin Tsachev

Electricity export from Bulgaria increases in the summer

For the first 7 months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, electricity exports from Bulgaria have been growing. This was what the director of the Electricity System Operator (ESO), Angelin Tsachev, told the Bulgarian..

published on 8/11/25 11:57 AM

Businesses to be offered to buy euro banknotes and coins in November

Starting in November, euro banknotes and coins will be offered for purchase to businesses and citizens before entering the eurozone on January 1, 2026. Traders will have to obtain euro banknotes and coins in order to be able to..

published on 8/11/25 9:29 AM