Starting from March 31 this year, a significant policy shift will affect third-country nationals without a European Union passport. The time spent in Romania and Bulgaria will now be considered as time spent in the Schengen Area. This change stems from an agreement between Romania, Bulgaria, and Austria following Austria's proposal of “Air Schengen.” As a result of this agreement, starting from March 2024, both Romania and Bulgaria are set to join the Schengen Area, albeit initially only through air and sea routes, as reported by SchengenVisaInfo.com.

Implications for Third-Country Nationals

This development is expected to have a substantial impact, particularly on individuals like Moldovans without EU citizenship. These individuals frequently travel to Romania and other Schengen countries. This change implies that the more time they spend in Romania, the less time they will be allowed to remain in other countries within the Schengen Zone, and vice versa.

Adding clarity to this situation, the European Commission spokesperson for internal affairs, Anitta Hipper, emphasised in a conversation with RFE/RL that post Romania's integration into the Schengen Zone, border controls at the Moldova-Romania border will remain unchanged. It is because this border is already an external frontier of the EU. For Moldovans without EU citizenship, their stay in Romania will count towards their total allowable period of residence in the Schengen Zone, which is capped at 90 days within 180 days.

The Schengen Visa and Travel Dynamics

Significantly, from March 31 onwards, with the inclusion of Bucharest and Sofia in the Schengen Area through air and sea routes, there will be changes in the regulations governing short-term stays for third-country nationals. This modification will coincide with the beginning of visa issuance by these countries.

Romania's Foreign Minister, Luminița Odobescu, in an interview with RFE/RL, expressed hope 

that Romania would also be able to join the Schengen Area through its land borders this year. However, the stance of Austria's Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, suggests a different scenario. Karner recently reiterated Austria's continued veto on the land border accession of these countries. He cited the inappropriateness of further expanding the visa-free travel zone via land borders at this stage.

The Prospect of Land Border Accession

Karner's reservations extend beyond the specific cases of Bulgaria and Romania and are linked to broader issues, such as the ongoing migration situation. Austria's concerns regarding irregular migration were the primary reasons for its opposition to the membership of these Balkan countries in the Schengen Area in December 2022.

In December 2023, a breakthrough occurred when Bulgaria, Romania, and Austria agreed on the “Air Schengen” proposal. This proposal included four conditions under which these two Balkan nations could join the Schengen Area. Following this agreement and the subsequent endorsement by Member States for partial accession of these countries to Schengen, the Council of the European Union announced that the decision regarding land border accession would be made only after March 31, 2024.

As part of these new arrangements, Sofia and Bucharest are gearing up to start issuing Schengen C visas from April 1. The Schengen C visa facilitates entry and residence in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within 180 days. It caters to various purposes, including tourism, business, visiting family and friends, journalism, official visits, and study purposes. It marks a significant shift in the travel dynamics within the European Union, particularly affecting the mobility of non-EU citizens in the region.

FAQs

What changes will occur for third-country nationals travelling to Romania and Bulgaria?

The time spent in Romania and Bulgaria by third-country nationals will be counted as part of their allowed stay within the Schengen Area, affecting their remaining duration in other Schengen countries.

When will Romania and Bulgaria start issuing Schengen visas?

Romania and Bulgaria are expected to start issuing Schengen C visas from April 1, 2024, allowing stays of up to 90 days within 180 days for various travel purposes.

Will the Schengen Area's expansion include Romania and Bulgaria's land borders?

Romania and Bulgaria are set to join the Schengen Area through air and sea routes. After further discussions and assessments, the decision regarding their land border accession will be made.