Exciting developments are on the horizon as Bulgaria and Romania are poised to imminently kick off the issuance of short-term Schengen visas for individuals seeking entry into the Schengen Area. In a clarifying statement shared with Fragomen, EU officials enthusiastically confirmed that both Bulgaria and Romania are scheduled to commence the issuance of Schengen C visas, allowing entry and a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, starting from April 1, 2024, according to the latest information from SchengenVisaInfo.com.
The issuance of Schengen short-stay visas by the two countries is intricately tied to the EU Council’s decision to grant Bulgaria and Romania partial access to the Schengen Area.
The EU recently decided to lift border controls at air and sea borders with Bulgaria and Romania in March, officially welcoming the two countries into the Schengen Zone.
While the decision to lift land border controls is pending, this strategic move is poised to benefit individuals and businesses by affording them the privilege of free movement via air and sea.
The EU Commission initially acknowledged Bulgaria and Romania’s preparedness to join the Schengen Area in 2011. Over the years, both nations have consistently demonstrated compliance with the necessary conditions, with experts reaffirming their readiness in 2022 and 2023.
The Commission emphasizes that, in the interest of safety and security, Bulgaria and Romania have implemented measures for cooperation in security, policy, and judicial matters.
Furthermore, the Commission underscores that this marks the ninth expansion of the Schengen Area, promising to enhance travel, trade, and tourism while concurrently reinforcing the internal market.
Encompassing nearly 450 million EU citizens and foreign nationals in or visiting the EU, the Schengen Area guarantees free movement. EU citizens can travel, work, and reside in any Member State without special formalities. With no border checks within the Schengen Area, this expansion is poised to augment freedom and convenience for all stakeholders involved.
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