Romania and Bulgaria are expected to become full members of the Schengen Area by January 2025, following years of partial inclusion. The Schengen Area is a group of 29 European countries (including 25 EU nations) where people can travel freely without internal border checks.
These two Balkan nations joined the European Union in 2007 but have not been granted full Schengen membership until now due to ongoing concerns, primarily related to illegal migration. While border checks for air and maritime travel were removed in March 2023, land border restrictions remained due to opposition from Austria.
In a breakthrough development, Austria, which had long blocked Romania and Bulgaria’s full membership, recently announced it would lift its objection. This decision followed discussions between Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania in Budapest.
The decision will now move to the EU interior ministers, who are expected to finalise it in December 2024. If approved, this will mark a significant milestone for the two countries and their citizens, who will gain full access to the Schengen Area by the beginning of 2025.
For travellers, integrating Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen Area will make visiting these countries much easier. Holders of a Schengen visa can enter Romania and Bulgaria without undergoing additional border checks. This development simplifies travel within Europe, opening up new opportunities for tourism and trade. According to reports, at least 100 border guards would be deployed to bolster border security and address earlier migration concerns, particularly at the Bulgaria-Turkey border. This step has been instrumental in gaining broader support for the countries' inclusion.
It’s also noteworthy that the European Commission introduced a cascade visa regime for Indian nationals in April 2024, simplifying the process for frequent travellers. Under this regime:
Indian citizens with an established travel history can apply for multi-entry Schengen visas.
A two-year visa will be issued after using two prior visas in three years.
Travellers may later qualify for a five-year visa if the passport remains valid.
With Romania and Bulgaria’s complete integration, travel across the Schengen Area will become even smoother for Indian nationals and other international visitors.
(With inputs from multiple reports)