More nations may become full Schengen zone members: Here's what it means for your visa

Two countries are on the brink of becoming full members of Europe’s borderless Schengen travel zone, potentially joining in January 2025 after a prolonged wait.

While the Bulgaria and Romania partly entered the zone in March 2024, allowing unrestricted air and maritime travel with the 27 other Schengen nations, full membership has been delayed due to land border concerns.

Romania and Bulgaria, both European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) members, have faced objections primarily from Austria and the Netherlands.

Austria has expressed concerns about illegal immigration, arguing the countries needed stronger measures to secure their borders. The Netherlands, meanwhile, has reservations regarding Bulgaria’s efforts to combat human trafficking. Despite these challenges, Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér indicated Friday (November 22) that significant progress has been made.

A final decision will be made at a meeting of EU interior ministers on December 11, where a security package will be presented, including the deployment of 100 border guards along Bulgaria’s border with Turkey. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu called the meeting “crucial” and noted that approval from the Dutch parliament is also required.

What this means for Schengen visa holders

If Bulgaria and Romania achieve full Schengen membership, Schengen visa holders will benefit from smoother travel.

Currently, travellers can enter these countries by air or sea using a Schengen visa without border checks. However, land crossings between Bulgaria, Romania, and other Schengen countries still require border controls. Full membership would remove these remaining checks, simplifying overland travel and allowing seamless mobility throughout the entire area.

Additionally, the duration of stay in Romania and Bulgaria already counts towards the 90-day limit of a Schengen visa within any 180-day period. Full membership will align these countries with other Schengen states, ensuring uniformity in visa rules and enforcement.

The European Commission has endorsed Romania and Bulgaria’s readiness for full membership, noting their adherence to Schengen standards after thorough investigations.

With inputs from agencies