Schengen Zone

Current Context : From January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of the Schengen Zone, allowing seamless travel and economic benefits.

• Both countries partially joined in March 2024 (air and sea borders) and are now granted full access, including land borders.

About the Schengen Zone:

1. Purpose:Largest border-free region, enabling free movement for over 400 million people.
2. Agreements Signed:Schengen Agreement (1985) and Schengen Convention (1990).
3. Members:29 countries:
   • 25 EU countries(except Cyprus and Ireland).
   • 4 non-EU nations:Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein.

Schengen Visa: Non-EU nationals can travel through member countries without border controls.