Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 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

Embassy of Ukraine opens electronic book of condolences for the tragedy in Sumy

The Ukrainian Embassy in Bulgaria has created an electronic book of condolences for the tragedy that took place on Palm Sunday in the city of Sumy. At least 34 people were killed in a Russian ballistic missile strike in the center of the city..

published on 4/14/25 10:40 AM

Public transport workers go on national protest for higher wages

Public transport workers in Sofia, Varna and Ruse took to the streets of the capital under the slogan “Decent work – decent pay! Without transport there is no economy!”, organized by the largest trade unions in the country. The demonstrators..

published on 4/14/25 9:46 AM

35 billion leva are needed for complete rehabilitation of Bulgaria's road network

The complete rehabilitation of Bulgaria's road network, including all compromised road sections, would cost around 35 billion leva, regional minister Ivan Ivanov told bTV. He added that it was not clear where these funds could be found. 13,000..

published on 4/14/25 8:40 AM