Entry of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen

Based on the decisions made by the council of EU on December 30^th 2024, about the Entry of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen, Since March 31^st 2024, Romania will officially become a member of the Schengen area. Since this date, restrictions of the air and sea border in this country will be lifted. Meanwhile, authorities of Romania will completely apply the rules of Schengen. Also, Schengen visa will be issued by the government of Romania and Bulgaria for applicants who want to travel to Schengen member states. This type of visa allows people to stay 90 days in a period of 180 days in Schengen area.

The entry of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen 2024

Schengen is an agreement between 29 European countries and because of that, common and same rules will be applied on the travel restrictions of these countries. Romania and Bulgaria, have recently joined Schengen area in 2024. However, the restrictions and control of air and sea borders have been canceled yet. It is worth mentioning that, short-stay visas that have been issued before 31^st March by the authorities of Romania, will be valid until the expiration date determined for them.

Although, specific circumstances have been set for short-stay visas which are included in this category under the paragraph of 565/214 EU. According to this fact, holders of the short-stay visa, who have received their certification from the embassy of Romania, must obtain another visa in order to travel to other Schengen member states from the authorities of their destination country.

Since 31^st of March 2024, based on article 6 of Schengen borders code, the maximum time allowed for staying in the Schengen area for third-countries citizens, will be 90 days in a 180 days period despite of the fact whether they need a visa or not. Also, their passport type won’t affect this situation.

List of Schengen countries

Since the date of March 31^st 2024, 29 European countries will be joined in the Schengen area contract considering Romania and Bulgaria. The list of Schengen countries, is as followed: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Czeck Republic, Germany, Finland, Greece, France, Iceland, Latvia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Poland, Malta, Romania, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovenia and liechtenstein.

It is important to note that, foreign citizens who have received their Schengen visa from the embassy of Romania with 90 days validation, if they spend 80 days in Romania, they will still be able to stay in other Schengen member states within the 10 remaining days.

Moreover, foreign citizens who have received their visas before the mentioned date from the embassy of Romania, but have traveled to this country twice or more, will have the possibility to travel to Bulgaria or Cyprus without beholding a second visa. In order to obtain further information about the Entry of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen, Moving to Romania or other Schengen member states, you can call our consultants at Stinwo complex, which is an international law firm.

Our experts will be providing you free initial consultation for better decision making. Also, you can complete the contact form on our website so that our team can call you for giving free advice.

FAQ about Entry of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen

In this section, we will be discussing and answering some of the frequently asked questions about the entry of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen.

Are the border restrictions in Romania going to be canceled because of the Entry of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen?

Ever since March 31^st 2024, sea and air border restrictions in this country will be lifted. Although, according to the Schengen borders code, Schengen law will not be affecting the goods control rules in these borders. Additionally, restrictions and control of the land borders of Romania-Bulgaria, Romania-Hungary won’t be lifted until further notice. Decisions will be made about applying Schengen law on these land borders in the future.

How will the circumstances of residency in Romania be calculated after March 31^st?

After the mentioned date, staying in Romania will be considered as residence in the Schengen area. The maximum time allowed for staying in Schengen member countries, will be 90 days in a 180 days period generally.

Can we Travel to other Schengen member states with Romanian short-stay visa?

Yes. Romania will be issuing Schengen visas for applicants since March 31^st 2024. Visas issued after this date, will allow people to stay in the Schengen area for maximum 90 days in a 180 days period. Even though, Applicants who want to obtain visa, must receive this certificate from their destination country that they want to travel to.

Short stay visas issued before March 31^st 2024, will be valid until their expiration date. Therefore, if applicants have received their short-stay Romanian visa before this date, they can stay in Romania until determined date. Keep in mind that, this type of visa only allows people to enter Romania.

Can we enter other Schengen member states with Romanian short-stay visa issued before March 31^st?

No, unfortunately those who have received their short-stay Romanian visa before this date, must obtain a second visa in order to enter other Schengen member states. Besides, the related visa must be obtained from the embassy of your destination country.

If we obtain Schengen visa after March 31^st in order to enter one of the Schengen member states, but then we need to enter Bulgaria, Romania through land border, should we obtain Multiple-Entry visa?

No, Single-Entry visa will be enough in order to travel to every Schengen member state whether through land border or other ways. The fact that the land borders in Romania and Bulgaria are still restricted and has not been included in the Schengen area contract, is not going to be affecting that. The Entry of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen will be a great advantage to those who are citizens of these countries or live there as an expat.