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

Bulgaria's full Schengen membership will not open the floodgates to the EU, says Interior Minister

Interim minister of the Interior Atanas Ilkov
Photo: Hristo Kasabov/ BTA

A quadripartite meeting of the interior ministers of Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria and Romania in Budapest on 22 November made it clear that Austria would lift its veto and that Bulgaria and Romania would probably become full members of Schengen from the beginning of 2025 - not only by air and sea, but also by land. "Bulgaria's full Schengen membership will not open the floodgates to the EU," interim Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov assured a briefing after his return to Bulgaria. 

Border police chief Anton Zlatanov also said that border controls would not be relaxed. On the borders with Romania and Greece, Bulgaria will use the experience of Hungary and Austria in controlling internal borders. On the border with Greece, there will be compensatory measures in the border area. There will be patrols that will carry out risk-based checks so that traffic is not hindered. 

On the border with Turkey, 100 police officers from Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria will be deployed to participate in the controls.

The final decision on Bulgaria's land entry into Schengen will be taken on December 12, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev said yesterday.



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

PM Zhelyazkov

Protecting the rights of Bulgarians in the region is a priority for Bulgaria’s foreign policy

Democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights are the pillars of Bulgarian diplomacy.This was what Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said at the ceremonial reception at the Boyana Residence on the occasion of the Day of the Bulgarian..

published on 7/23/25 8:45 AM

Property prices in major cities are expected to rise by between 9 and 15%

According to forecasts by industry representatives, the introduction of the euro is expected to impact property prices in Bulgaria . Some predict price increases of between 9% and 15%, particularly in major cities.  'The introduction of the euro will..

published on 7/23/25 8:45 AM

Orange heat warning Issued nationwide, except for the coast

On Wednesday, minimum temperatures will range between 17°C and 23°C , with Sofia at 17°C. The morning will be mostly sunny, but atmospheric instability is expected to develop in the afternoon. Cumulonimbus clouds will form, leading to brief showers and..

published on 7/22/25 7:05 PM