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

Accession to Schengen for Bulgaria and Romania by the end of 2023 can be considered a certainty, euractiv.bg writes

Photo: archive

The European institutions are getting ready to welcome Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area as early as in 2023. Entry into the border-free area can be considered a certainty, writes euractiv.bg, citing diplomatic sources in Brussels and in Sofia. This is going to take place in two stages – first for the airports as of October, and then for the land borders as of 1 January, 2024.

The biggest obstacle to Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area was the position of the Netherlands. Mark Rutte’s government has given the signal that it highly appreciates Bulgaria’s efforts to carry through a judicial reform. There is one more reason why Schengen’s door is opening – the election of a regular pro-European government in Sofia.

Austria’s objections to the enlargement of the Schengen area, against the background of the refugee crisis, have not been dropped, but Vienna is not expected to stand in the way of the two Balkan countries any more if it remains the only EU countries which is against, euractiv.bg adds. 



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

Bulgarian Judges Association raises concern over new antivirus software

Judges have opposed the introduction of a new antivirus agent on their computers. The magistrates fear that it could violate personal data protection rules and compromise the independence of the judiciary. In an official letter, the Bulgarian..

published on 11/26/25 12:21 PM

Boyko Borisov: Bulgaria will join the eurozone on January 1 despite protests

GERB leader Boyko Borisov said in Parliament that Bulgaria will become a member of the eurozone on January 1, regardless of protests organized by representatives of We Continue the Change Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB). He was commenting on opposition..

published on 11/26/25 11:06 AM

Bulgaria at risk of non compliance with the EU's fiscal framework in 2026

Six countries, including Bulgaria, are at risk of non compliance with the EU fiscal framework in 2026. This is highlighted in the 2026 European Semester Autumn Package, adopted by the European Commission. Another 12 countries are urged to continue..

published on 11/26/25 10:06 AM