Headline: Bulgaria Lifts Border Controls: Over 1 Million Bulgarians Travel During Holidays, Smooth Returns Expected
Subhead: No major bottlenecks reported at key border crossings as Bulgaria joins the Schengen Area
Nova.bg – As the holiday season comes to an end, Bulgaria has lifted its border controls upon entering the Schengen Area by land, leading to a smooth return of hundreds of thousands of Bulgarian travelers. According to estimates, over one million Bulgarians embarked on trips during the New Year and Christmas holidays, with 900 police units monitoring their return home.
With the onset of the New Year, Bulgaria’s entry into the Schengen Area has opened its borders, with no significant queues anticipated at border crossings. The "Kulata" crossing at the Greece-Bulgaria border remained quiet during the early hours of New Year’s Day, with expectations of a surge in traffic mitigated by the removal of border controls. Similarly, the "Dunav Most" bridge near Ruse saw no morning traffic congestion, with the implementation of a toll system ensuring smooth passage.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported a 20% increase in the number of Bulgarians traveling during the holidays, with a significant portion visiting neighboring Greece. A noteworthy trend observed was the rapidity of border crossings, with many Bulgarian and Romanian nationals promptly returning home after celebrating the New Year abroad.
Meanwhile, Bulgarian and Romanian nationals have been flocking to Bulgarian winter resorts during the holidays, potentially causing temporary congestion at the Bulgarian-Romanian border upon their eventual return. Fortunately, the temporary halt of repairs on the "Dunav Most" bridge during the holidays should ease the flow of traffic.
As travelers make their way back to the capital and other major cities, the Sofia-Varna highway via Veliko Tarnovo is expected to face heavy congestion. The absence of a planned speedway ("Hemus" Motorway) between Yablanitsa and Turgovishte creates ideal conditions for serious incidents and traffic jams, with critical sections located near Shumata, Lashki, Sopot, Mikre, and Belyanushe villagges. Bulgarian Traffic Police has implemented special measures until January 6 to facilitate quick passage through Prave এম domestic tunnels and redirect heavy vehicles through Botevgrad and Pravec.
In videos watch here, Nova TV offers more information and insights on Bulgaria’s travel trends and border controls during the festive season.
