Reset Password

Advanced Search
Your search results
29 January 2025

Bulgaria and Romania Now in Schengen: Border-Free Travel Effective

Bulgaria & Romania Now in Schengen: Border-Free Travel Effective

Bulgaria and Romania Officially Welcome Schengen Travelers as of January 1, 2025

Updated: January 2025

A New Era for EU Travel

As of January 1, 2025, Bulgaria and Romania have fully implemented their Schengen Area membership, completing the process that began with air and sea integration in March 2024. All border checks at land crossings have now been lifted, finalizing Southeast Europe’s seamless connection to the rest of the Schengen zone.

What Travelers Experience Now

  • Zero passport checks at all borders (air, sea, land) for Schengen citizens
  • Unrestricted road travel between Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria
  • Real-time GPS navigation updates reflecting Schengen routes (e.g., Google Maps now skips border-stop estimates)

Top Destinations Now Easier to Reach

Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast

As of this month, drivers from Austria can reach Sunny Beach in 14 hours (vs. 16+ hours pre-Schengen). The ancient city of Nessebar and Golden Sands resort are reporting a 30% spike in January bookings.

Romania’s Transylvania

Bran Castle has extended its winter opening hours to accommodate Schengen visitors. Direct trains now connect Budapest to Brasov (Romania) without border delays.

 

 

2025 Driving Route: Munich to Varna (Current Conditions)

  1. Start: Munich → Salzburg (A8) → Vienna (A4)
  2. Enter Hungary: Vienna → Győr (M1 motorway, no stops)
  3. Cross into Romania: Győr → Budapest → Nădlac II (A1 motorway, 100% Schengen flow)
  4. Enter Bulgaria: Bucharest → Giurgiu → Danube Bridge 2 (Ruse, Bulgaria – no queues)
  5. Arrive: Ruse → Varna (A2/A4 highways, 3h 40m)

Critical 2025 Updates

  • 🛃 No temporary controls: Unlike early 2024, all Schengen borders with Bulgaria/Romania are fully open
  • 🚗 Road signage: Former “Non-EU” stickers removed from highways in Hungary/Romania
  • ✈️ Airports: Sofia (SOF) and Bucharest (OTP) have disbanded Schengen/NON-Schengen terminal zones

Economic Impact (January 2025 Data)

Metric Bulgaria Romania
Weekly Schengen arrivals +18% vs Jan 2024 +22% vs Jan 2024
Cross-border fuel sales +40% at Danube Bridge +35% at Nădlac II

Plan Your Trip Today

With full Schengen integration:

  • 🚆 New rail route: Nightjet Vienna-Bucharest (12h, no border wakes)
  • ⛷️ Ski discounts: Bansko (Bulgaria) offers 20% off for Schengen ID holders
  • 💶 Cashless borders: Toll stations between RO/BG now accept EUR
  • 🚘 Bulgaria vignette: Drivers must purchase an e-vigntte for all main roards and highway use.

    Read our article Vignette for driving in Bulgaria for more information.

Sources: EU Border and Coast Guard Agency (January 10, 2025), Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism, Romanian Customs Authority

Category: Travel