Europe’s “border-free” Schengen zone has expanded its travel protections to include two additional countries, allowing more travelers to explore the continent’s southeastern portion.
Romania and Bulgaria partially joined the Schengen area on Sunday, allowing tourists arriving by air or sea from other countries in the zone to traverse borders without ID checks. Land crossings will continue to be subject to ID checks due to Austria’s resistance, which has long identified irregular migration as a worry in admitting the two Eastern European republics into the Schengen Agreement. The move comes more than ten years after Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union.
The European Commission previously suggested that Bulgaria and Romania be admitted to the Schengen zone, first in 2011 and most recently in 2023. According to Leon Züllig, a researcher and Schengen expert at Germany’s Justus Liebig University Giessen, the two countries were caught in “Schengen purgatory” until now due to a combination of internal problems and opposition from other countries citing irregular migration concerns, particularly after the so-called “migrant crisis” of 2015.
What is the Schengen travel zone?
The Schengen zone, also known as the “crown jewel” of European integration policies, is the European Union’s passport-free travel area. It was founded in 1985 with the elimination of passport controls and the implementation of a single visa policy in Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. It now includes Bulgaria and Romania, bringing the total number of countries without internal borders to 29. This implies that people, whether international tourists or European residents, can move freely between member countries without having to worry about extra visas, immigration controls, or forced ID checks.
“In layman’s terms: It’s a partnership with all of these countries so that the border crossing can be really easy,” said Lia Vincent, owner of Oklahoma City-based travel service Vincent Vacations. “It works really well for Americans when we go over there, because we can take the train from one country to another without worrying about borders.”
The Schengen region now comprises every country in the EU except Ireland and Cyprus, following the recent additions of Romania and Bulgaria, as well as Croatia last year. Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein are among the non-EU countries represented.
What are the travel benefits of Schengen countries?
International travelers who are visa-exempt or have earned a Schengen visa can travel between member countries as tourists for up to 90 days each 180-day period.This means that someone who has been approved to visit Romania, for example, can also travel Croatia and France without having to go through another passport check.
The Schengen zone saves passengers time and money by eliminating the need for additional visas or passport checks when traveling between member nations.
What do Americans need to enter Schengen countries?
Americans with valid US passports can enter the Schengen zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Longer stays, such as those for study or job, necessitate special visas from the nation where you want to spend the most of your time.
Although travel between Schengen nations often does not need additional passport inspections, the U.S. State Department advises visitors to maintain their passport with them in case of temporary border control adjustments.
Is there a tax on visitors?
While a visa is not now necessary for US residents to visit Schengen nations, “it’s going to change a little bit in 2025,” Vincent added, “because in travel everything changes all the time.”
Travelers from the US and other “visa-exempt” countries to Europe may soon need to apply through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). Any traveler intending a short-term visit or combination of stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) must complete the application online at least a month before the planned travel date. The application will cost tourists 7 euros (about $8) and will be valid for three years.
The implementation of ETIAS verification in the EU is expected to begin in mid-2025, while no exact date has been announced.
Are there any limits to travel in the Schengen zone?
Although the Schengen zone was intended to be free of internal border restrictions, some nations have implemented temporary controls to limit migration from non-European countries. Recently, this has included Germany, Italy, Austria, Denmark, France, and others.
These temporary border controls mean that travelers may be stopped and required to present identification documents, such as a passport.
Some experts say that temporary border controls contradict Schengen’s objective, while others argue that they are unlawful and infringe EU citizens’ constitutional rights to freely travel between member nations. Züllig described the temporary border controls as an indication of a Schengen zone in “distress” and “a worrying trend, because it contributes to the erosion of the Schengen area and leaves the crown jewel of the European Union cracked.”
While travelers can officially move freely within Schengen and have the same rights to movement as EU citizens, experts advise them to keep informed about temporary border controls and other limitations before and during their trip. While these additional passport inspections may slow down travel times, “U.S. passport holders should have no problems with any of these,” Vincent stated.
Are there any restrictions on rental cars?
There are no permanent limitations on sea or air travel between Schengen nations, and the majority of Schengen countries have no limits on land travel as well. This means that passengers driving or taking a train from Italy to France, for example, would not be required to produce their passports or stop at an immigration control.
The only exceptions to this rule are Romania and Bulgaria. Leaders of both nations aim to expand Schengen entrance to land borders this year, despite the constraint that prevents them from fully enjoying the benefits of being Schengen and EU members.
Vincent stated that rental car firms ask tourists to tell them if they intend to leave the county, adding that “there could be one-way fees if you pick up a car and drop it off at a different location.”
Will travel prices go up in new Schengen countries?
Croatia entered the Schengen zone in January 2023, the same year it accepted the euro. Both locals and vacationers reported price increases within a few days. Last year, the national tourist board reported 20.6 million visitor arrivals, a 9% increase from 2022.
Experts do not expect a significant change in price for Romania and Bulgaria in the foreseeable future.
“I think both countries will economically profit from it, and I hope that for them the tourist industry will develop more dynamically as well,” he said. “It might lead organically to an increase in prices, but I wouldn’t expect prices to peak now.”
Instead, he stated that travel will only grow “more comfortable” as the EU’s “vision of open borders” continues to spread.
Vincent agreed: “I believe the most important aspect is that this will make these countries more accessible.” Off-the-beaten-path-themed travel is really popular right now, so these will tick the’something different’ box that many US travelers are searching for.”
Even if prices rise due to increased tourism and accessibility, Romania and Bulgaria continue to be more affordable vacation destinations than other European countries.
“These countries will always price less than the big cities like Paris and Rome, especially in accommodations,” Vincent went on to say. “With Europe still riding a big post-covid travel boom, travelers are looking for more options.”