Schengen visa update: Romania and Bulgaria set to join Schengen area in January 2025

In a significant development for European travel, Romania and Bulgaria are poised to become full members of the Schengen Area by January 2025. This follows a pivotal decision by Austria to lift its opposition, as reported by the Economic Times citing Hungarian officials.

Background and Recent Developments

Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007 but have faced delays in gaining full Schengen membership. Although air and maritime border checks were removed in March 2023, land borders remained controlled primarily due to Austria's concerns over illegal migration.

However, after recent discussions in Budapest involving interior ministers from Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania, Austria has agreed to lift its opposition. This paves the way for a final decision by EU interior ministers in December 2024.

The Schengen Area Expansion

The Schengen Area currently consists of 29 European countries, including 25 EU states: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden, along with non-EU members Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér confirmed that Romania and Bulgaria are now "one step closer" to full membership, with a significant step being the deployment of at least 100 border guards to the Bulgaria-Turkey border.

Official Reactions

EU officials, including Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have welcomed this development. Johansson described it as a step toward full freedom for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens, stating that the two countries now "fully belong" to the Schengen Area.

Implications for Travellers

Starting January 2025, travellers holding Schengen visas will be able to visit Romania and Bulgaria without undergoing additional border checks. This expansion is expected to enhance travel opportunities, simplify cross-border movement, and boost tourism and trade within the region.

Cascade Regime for Indian Nationals

In April 2024, the European Commission introduced a cascade regime for Indian nationals, allowing multi-year validity for travellers with an established travel history. Under this scheme, Indian citizens can receive multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after using two visas within the previous three years. If the passport has remaining validity, this two-year visa can be followed by a five-year visa.

This development further underscores the ease of travel within the Schengen Area, making it more accessible for international travellers.