---
title: "Bulgaria in Schengen: A New Era of Travel"
url: https://bulgaristanvatandas.com/en/bulgaria-joins-schengen-new-era-of-travel/
lang: en
published: 2024-01-03
updated: 2026-10-23
description: "Bulgaria fully joined the Schengen area: air and sea borders on 31 March 2024, land borders on 1 January 2025. What has changed for Bulgarian citizens?"
source: BulgaristanVatandas.com (https://bulgaristanvatandas.com)
---
# Bulgaria in Schengen: A New Era of Travel
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](/en/services/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?](/en/which-countries-can-bulgarian-citizens-travel-to/)
For the full process, requirements and application steps, see our [Bulgarian tourist visa](/en/services/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.