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

4-year-old boy hit by ATV in Bulgaria's Sunny Beach resort has been taken out of intensive care

4-year-old Martin, who was hit by an ATV in a heavy accident on a sidewalk in Bulgaria's Sunny Beach resort is in stable condition and has been taken out of intensive care . This was reported by Nova TV, referring to a statement of Sofia's Emergency..

published on 9/16/25 5:13 PM
Deputy finance minister Metodi Metodiev

Bulgaria expects second and third payments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan by the end of the year

The second and third payments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan are expected by the end of the year, confirmed Deputy Minister of Finance Metodi Metodiev. He participated in a meeting of the budget committee in parliament, at which the..

published on 9/16/25 4:48 PM

Bulgarian navy destroys damaged surface drone about 80 km east of Varna

A damaged surface drone was destroyed today about 80 km east of Varna in the waters of the Black Sea by the Bulgarian Navy , the Ministry of Defense announced.  The drone was discovered on September 15 by the Navy, in cooperation with allied forces..

published on 9/16/25 2:40 PM