What will change for travelers? When Romania and Bulgaria join the Schengen Area

Bulgaria and Romania will join the Schengen area on March 31.

On March 31, Romania and Bulgaria will join the Schengen Area, which allows 400 million citizens to move freely between its member countries.

The two countries joined the EU back in 2007, but because they were not part of the border-free zone, travellers were still required to present passports upon entry.

In 2024, border controls for the two countries will be simplified. Here's what travelers to Romania and Bulgaria need to know about these changes.

Do you need a passport to enter Romania and Bulgaria?

When Romania and Bulgaria join the Schengen area, it will become easier for travellers to visit these two countries.

In December, the interior ministries of the two countries announced the cancellation of some border checks.

Travelers arriving by air or sea from other Schengen countries will no longer be required to present their passports upon arrival. This means that passengers on flights, cruises, and ferries will not be subject to security checks.

However, if you're traveling to Romania and Bulgaria by car, train, or bus, you'll still need to carry identification, as land border crossing regulations haven't yet been established. This is due to a veto imposed by Austria.

«"A new decision will need to be taken to set a date for the abolition of land border controls," the European Council said on its website.

Which European countries can you enter without a passport?

The last country to join the Schengen area was Croatia in 2022.

Every year, 1.25 billion trips are made within this zone, and 3.5 million people cross the borders of participating countries every day.

Not counting Romania and Bulgaria, the Schengen Area comprises 27 countries. 23 of these are EU members, and four are associated states of the European Free Trade Association: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.