Bulgaria becomes part of the Schengen area by sea and air from 31 March 2024

We are so glad to announce that the European Commission welcomes Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area, starting with lifting controls at air and sea borders as of 31 March 2024. 

The two countries’ accession will encourage travel and tourism around the whole area. Discussions on a further decision to lift controls at land borders will continue during 2024. 

As a tour operator and DMC with 27 years of experience, the Boiana-MG Travel Company realizes the importance of Bulgaria and Romania entering the Schengen area. That means quickly travelling around the country-members and passing without complicated passport checks. 

How will this affect travellers?

For EU residents and travellers arriving in Bulgaria and Romania from other countries in the Schengen Area, there will be no passport checks if entering on flights, ferries or cruises.

There will still be checks if entering via land borders, such as on coaches, trains and cars.

Remember that the rule specifying that nonresidents can only stay in the EU for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days without a visa will apply to Romania and Bulgaria. 

Visits to these two nations will count towards the 90-day limit. These countries also have the exact passport validity requirements used throughout the EU. When entering, your passport must have an expiry date of at least three months after the day you plan to leave.

Also, from 31 March 2024, there will no longer be checks on persons at EU internal air and maritime borders between Bulgaria and Romania and the other countries in the Schengen area. This date corresponds with the winter/summer schedule change the International Air Transport Association (IATA) set.