Sunday, June 16, 2024 Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen Zone, enhancing travel and posing challenges at land borders, while expanding tourism opportunities. With their recent addition to the Schengen Visa Zone, Bulgaria and Romania are poised for a monumental surge in tourism. This pivotal change facilitates easier access for travelers, broadening the appeal of these countries’ rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and historical sites.
Now part of a collective of 31 European countries where cross-border travel is made more accessible, both nations expect an influx of tourists eager to explore the uncharted beauties of Eastern Europe. This integration not only simplifies travel but significantly boosts the local economies, marking a new chapter in their tourism narratives. Bulgaria and Romania have now joined the Schengen zone, a pivotal step in their journey towards deeper integration with Europe that began over a decade ago.
As of this past Sunday, this inclusion allows for unrestricted air and sea travel across the zone, although land travel is still subject to border checks due to an Austrian veto. This decision is based on concerns regarding the influx of asylum seekers. This development has sparked celebration among many, but truck drivers are experiencing increased hardships.
They face extended delays at borders and significant financial burdens. Romanian road transport unions, including the UNTRR, are calling for immediate action to mitigate these detrime.
