Romania and Bulgaria to Join Schengen Area in 2025: What Travelers Need to Know
Starting January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full members of the Schengen Area, allowing for free movement between the member states for 450 million citizens. Although both countries have been part of the European Union (EU) since 2007, they have not been included in the Schengen Area, meaning travelers still had to show passports when entering. However, with their new membership, border controls will be simplified.
A Long Road to Schengen Membership for Romania and Bulgaria
In 2011, the European Commission (EC) determined that Romania and Bulgaria were ready to join the Schengen Zone. However, their candidacies were delayed for years due to concerns over governance and immigration issues raised by several EU members, including Germany and France. Over time, opposition to their inclusion softened, and last year, the Netherlands lifted its veto. Austria was the last holdout, but it removed its opposition in November, clearing the way for the two countries to join.
While Austria’s resistance persisted, the EC had already begun easing restrictions earlier this year by lifting air and sea checks, signaling that larger changes were ahead.
Passport Requirements for Romania and Bulgaria
Once Romania and Bulgaria officially become Schengen members, traveling to these countries will become easier for visitors from other Schengen nations. Citizens of Schengen countries will no longer need to show passports when flying between Schengen countries, although land travel may still require passport checks, at least initially.
However, the EC plans to maintain border checks at the land borders between Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria for at least six months to address concerns about public security. As a result, travelers entering Romania or Bulgaria by train, bus, or car will still need to carry their passports during this transitional period.
Air and sea travelers arriving from other Schengen countries will not need to show passports, as these forms of travel will no longer be subject to border checks.
Impact on Non-EU Travelers
For travelers who are not citizens of EU countries, it is important to remember that time spent in Romania and Bulgaria will count towards the 90-day maximum stay within the Schengen Zone. For instance, if a traveler spends 30 days in either Romania or Bulgaria, those 30 days will be deducted from their total 90-day allowance in the Schengen Area. Exceeding this limit can result in penalties, including fines or bans on re-entry.
The Schengen Zone: Now Including 29 States
With the addition of Romania and Bulgaria in 2025, the Schengen Area will include 29 countries: 25 EU member states and four non-EU countries—Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The Schengen Area, which facilitates over 1.25 billioan trips per year and sees 3.5 million people crossing its borders daily, was established in 1995 following the signing of the Schengen Agreement in 1985 by Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Several expansions followed, including the 2007 enlargement that brought nine more countries into the zone.
