Bulgaria Anticipates Full Schengen Zone Membership by the End of 2024
Key Points
1. Bulgaria aims to achieve full Schengen membership by the end of 2024.
2. Yordanka Chobanova, head of the European Commission's representation in Bulgaria, stated that a proposal to remove land border controls for Bulgaria and Romania will be presented on October 10.
3. Remaining outside the Schengen Zone's land borders has cost Bulgaria an estimated €400 million in financial losses.
Bulgaria is optimistic that a decision on its complete integration into the Schengen Area will be reached by the end of this year. Authorities in Sofia are hopeful that the accession of both Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Zone, particularly regarding land borders, will soon be finalized.
On October 10, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, along with Hungary’s interior minister, will propose to the Council of the European Union the elimination of land border checks for Bulgaria and Romania.
Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission’s Representation in Bulgaria, expressed optimism to Euractiv, anticipating strong support from the European Commission for Schengen accession.
According to the Institute of Economic Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria has incurred financial losses of €400 million due to its exclusion from Schengen's land borders, as reported by caretaker Economy Minister Petko Nikolov in July.
Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen Zone on March 31, 2024, lifting controls for sea and air travel. However, land border controls remain in effect due to their partial membership.
Hungary Also Advocates for Full Schengen Accession for Bulgaria and Romania by the End of 2024
In July, Hungary’s Deputy Minister of the Interior, Bence Retvari, emphasized the importance of integrating Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Area's land borders by the end of 2024. He urged for swift action to avoid further delays in finalizing the process.
"Migrants arriving at the EU’s southern borders often do not comply with the law, posing challenges for border guards. They show little respect for the EU and do not cooperate with authorities," noted Retvari.
Hungary, holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July 1, 2024, to the end of the year, has made the removal of land border controls for Bulgaria and Romania a top priority. Hungarian Ambassador to the EU, Balint Odor, highlighted that addressing irregular migration in these countries will also be a key focus.