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(Reuters) - Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of Europe'sSchengen free-travel area from next month, swelling the number of nations to 29, the EU said on Thursday.
Four European microstates — Andorra, [5] Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City — are not officially part of the Schengen Area, but are considered de facto within the Schengen Area, as they have open or semi-open borders and do not conduct systematic border controls with the Schengen countries that surround them.
The two eastern European nations made a breakthrough in their bid to join the Area in late 2023
ETIAS is required for entry by land, air and sea to 30 European countries, including the 29 member states of the Schengen Area, as well as Cyprus. Ireland, which is part of the Common Travel Area, is the only member state of the European Union that continues to have its own visa policy and does not plan to join the Schengen Area or to require ETIAS.
Most of these countries are also part of the Schengen Area. Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland have all previously had live applications to join the EU, which have been withdrawn or otherwise frozen. Such applications could be resubmitted in the event of a change in the political landscape.
The Swiss government on Wednesday said it was expanding its border controls to include all countries in the Schengen open border zone to help protect people from coronavirus. The move comes after ...
On December 27, 2007, Slovenia also joins the Schengen Area. [1] From January 1, 2008, until June 30, 2008, Slovenia held its first presidency of the Council of the European Union, as the first new member after 2004 enlargement. [1]
Schengen is now a core part of EU law, and all EU member states without an opt-out which have not already joined the Schengen Area are legally obliged to do so when technical requirements have been met. Several non-EU countries are included in the area through special association agreements. [3]