Bulgaria and Romania Set to Fully Join Schengen on January 1, 2025
Mark your calendars for January 1, 2025, as Bulgaria and Romania will become full-fledged members of the Schengen Area. Bulgarian citizens can finally look forward to borderless travel within the region. While both countries have been part of the "airport Schengen" agreement, allowing free movement at airports and seaports, land borders have remained under control.
The journey to full Schengen membership has been long and arduous. Some may recall that in 2011, then-Prime Minister Boyko Borisov famously declared, "We only need to paint one building to enter the Schengen zone." Unfortunately, the process proved to be much more complex and time-consuming than initially thought.
Today, the focus is on improving road infrastructure. The "Kula" border checkpoint with Greece is currently undergoing repairs, with one more lane being added to the road. Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.
Saying Goodbye to Border Checks at the Greek Border
The most immediate effect of Bulgaria’s Schengen accession will likely be felt on the Greek border. Starting January 1, 2025, police controls will cease at the land border, bringing significant changes, especially during the summer when Bulgarian holidaymakers flock to Greek beaches.
However, this doesn’t mean there will be no controls at all. Bulgarian police will reportedly adopt a risk-based approach, focusing on targeted checks over mass screenings. While infrastructure will remain in place, preventing crimes like drug trafficking and illegal migration may become more challenging due to the reduction in random checks.
Temporary Controls on the Danube
Despite Bulgaria and Romania’s upcoming Schengen accession, controls on the Danube River will continue for six months. This arrangement was agreed upon with Austria and Hungary in a November 2023 agreement in Budapest. The reason behind this temporary measure remains unclear.
Currently, the Danube border has its own set of challenges. The Russe bridge is undergoing major repairs, reducing its capacity. Meanwhile, at the Vidin checkpoint, truck drivers have complained about being rerouted to a private parking lot.
The exitost Border: Bulgaria-Turkey
With Bulgaria’s Schengen accession, the Bulgarian-Turkish border will become the European Union‘s external border. This stretch of border has been a contentious issue since 2013, when Syria’s civil war began displacing millions.
Bulgaria has invested heavily in a border fence, but its effectiveness remains questionable. The border’s security is expected to be bolstered in early 2024, with police from Romania, Austria, Hungary, and Europol set to assist. Bulgarian border police numbers have also been beefed up, with hundreds of new recruits joining the force.
What’s Next for Bulgarian Border Police?
With the end of Schengen controls at the Greek border, Bulgarian border police will be reassigned to other roles. Many will likely focus on covert and investigative operations. Additionally, contact centers will be established to facilitate information exchange with Greek and Romanian services.
As Bulgaria prepares to join the Schengen Area, it marks a significant step towards greater European integration. While it brings freedom and convenience for travelers, it also necessitates adaptability and enhanced cooperation among law enforcement agencies to maintain security along the new external border.
