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

The only wooden church in Bulgaria marks its holiday

The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Borovets - the only wooden church in Bulgaria, marked its holiday today. A liturgy was served by Bishop Gerasim of Melnik. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Natalia Kiselova, was among the official..

published on 8/6/25 7:46 PM

Weather to stay warm with local mountain showers

On Thursday, minimum temperatures will range from 14 to 22°C, reaching a low of 14°C in Sofia. It will be mostly sunny during the day , with temporary cloud cover and brief showers in the mountains. There will be light to moderate winds in the east of..

published on 8/6/25 7:05 PM

"We Continue the Change" start petition "Bulgaria is not for sale"

"We Continue the Change" (PP) is starting a petition against the sale of over 4,400 state properties by the government, the party's press center reports, quoted by BTA. The petition is under the motto "Bulgaria is not for sale!". The party points out..

published on 8/6/25 6:50 PM