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

No change in temperatures expected; southern regions to see rain

On Thursday, minimum temperatures will range from 15 to 22°C , in Sofia – 16°C. Heavy rain clouds will develop from the southwest to the east-northeast during the day, bringing short showers and thunderstorms. In the south, there will be intense rainfall..

published on 7/30/25 7:05 PM

Prominent journalist Konstantin Ivanov dies aged 87

One of the most prominent international journalists in Bulgaria, Konstantin Ivanov, passed away on July 28, 2018, at the age of 87 , announced the Union of Bulgarian Journalists on its website. “ Konstantin Ivanov had one of the brightest and..

published on 7/30/25 6:27 PM

Pippi smiles from the covers of Bulgarian books in an open-air exhibition

Pan Publishing House is presenting the exhibition “80 Years of Pippi Longstocking”, featuring the covers of all Bulgarian editions of the red-haired Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Ephraim's Daughter Longstocking. The event will take..

published on 7/31/25 6:50 AM