Bulgaria fully joined the Schengen area, with its air and sea borders on 31 March 2024 and its land borders on 1 January 2025. In this article we explain what Schengen membership means for Bulgaria and the advantages it brings to Bulgarian citizens.
Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area
The Schengen area is a zone of free movement that removes internal border checks between member countries and applies common security standards at the external borders. Bulgaria, a member of the European Union since 2007, spent many years meeting demanding security standards to join Schengen. Accession was completed in two stages: first air and sea borders (31 March 2024), then land borders (1 January 2025).
A new era of travel
Bulgarian citizens can now travel between Schengen countries without internal border checks. For travel within the EU and Schengen, a Bulgarian identity card is sufficient as a travel document; for travel to non-EU countries, a passport is required. Since random checks can take place between Schengen countries, you must carry your identity document with you.
Advantages for Bulgarian citizens
- Free movement: travel between Schengen countries without border checks
- Education and work: easy access to educational institutions and job opportunities in EU countries
- Right of residence: as an EU citizen, you can live and work in any EU country you choose
- Healthcare: access to healthcare in EU countries with the European Health Insurance Card
What changed for Turkish citizens?
Schengen membership also brought important changes for Turkish citizens without a Bulgarian passport:
- A Bulgarian visa is now a Schengen visa. With a short-stay visa issued by Bulgaria you can also travel to other Schengen countries; likewise, you can enter Bulgaria with another Schengen country’s visa.
- The 90/180 rule is counted jointly. Days spent in Bulgaria are counted together with days spent in other Schengen countries. You must not exceed a total of 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Kapıkule and the other land crossings are an external Schengen border. The check on entering Bulgaria counts as entry into the Schengen area. There are no systematic passport checks between Bulgaria and Greece or Romania.
- Electronic entry and exit records. Schengen countries have started recording the entries and exits of non-EU travellers electronically with the Entry/Exit System (EES). Fingerprints and a facial image may be taken on first entry; plan your waiting time at the border accordingly.
- A Bulgarian residence card allows travel within Schengen. Residence card holders can stay in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. For details see our Bulgarian residence permit page.
For holders of a Bulgarian passport
Bulgarian citizens can travel, live and work in Schengen and the EU without time limits. When entering Bulgaria from Türkiye, the Bulgarian ID card or passport is shown; the Turkish passport is used when returning to Türkiye. With dual citizenship we recommend carrying both passports. You can find which countries Bulgarian passport holders can visit visa-free in our article which countries can Bulgarian citizens travel to?
For the full process, requirements and application steps, see our Bulgarian tourist visa page.
Frequently asked questions
When did Bulgaria join Schengen?
Bulgaria fully joined the Schengen area at its air and sea borders on 31 March 2024 and at its land borders on 1 January 2025.
Can Turkish citizens travel to Bulgaria without a visa?
No. To enter Bulgaria with a Turkish passport you need a Schengen visa, a residence card of Bulgaria or another Schengen country, or Bulgarian citizenship.
Can I enter Bulgaria with a Greek visa?
Yes. With a valid Schengen visa you can also enter Bulgaria, as long as you respect the 90/180 rule. However, the visa must have been issued by the country that is the main destination of your trip.
Can I travel in Europe with a Bulgarian ID card?
Yes. Between EU and Schengen countries a Bulgarian ID card is sufficient as a travel document. A passport is needed for countries outside the EU.
Conclusion
Schengen membership has made Bulgarian citizenship even more valuable. To find out whether you are entitled to apply for Bulgarian citizenship, request a free document review or book an online appointment.
