Bulgaria and Romania
Of the 27 EU member states, 25 are part of the Schengen Area. Bulgaria and Romania, the newest members having joined on 31 March 2024, only have air and maritime borders open, with land border controls remaining in place pending agreement to lift them.Romania's government said Schengen rules would apply to four seaports and 17 airports, including Bucharest's largest Otopeni airport. Romania and Bulgaria will enter the Schengen zone in 2024.As of April 2024, Cyprus is not part of the Schengen Zone. However, the process of joining the Schengen Zone has started. This means that national visas issued by the Embassies of Cyprus are valid for Cyprus only. They do not permit the holder to enter other Schengen zone countries.
What are the 5 EU countries not in Schengen : Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom are EU states that are not, or not yet, part of the Schengen area. This means that a flight from one of these states to a Schengen state is regarded as an external flight and is subject to border checks.
Which country is closer to join EU
Montenegro and Serbia, the most advanced candidates, are expected to join earlier than the others. Due to multiple factors, talks with Turkey are at an effective standstill. The accession criteria are included in the Copenhagen criteria, agreed in 1993, and the Treaty of Maastricht (Article 49).
Is Romania going to join Schengen : On 31 March, Bulgaria and Romania become Schengen members: the Schengen rules will apply in both Member States including on issuing Schengen visas and controls at the internal air and sea borders will be lifted.
Given Britain's desire to maintain its own border controls, it will not join the EU's passport-free 'Schengen' area in the foreseeable future. Ireland also has to stay out because it shares a common travel area with the UK.
March 2024
Together, we are building a stronger, more united Europe for all our citizens.” Since last December, both Member States have taken all necessary measures to ensure a smooth application of the Schengen rules as from 31 March 2024.
Will Montenegro join Schengen
While the Montenegro Schengen relationship is strong, the country is not yet a part of the Schengen Area. However, Montenegro is on a path that could lead to a Schengen membership in the future.President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said: “Tomorrow marks an important day: Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen family. I welcome the lifting of internal air and sea border checks. This is a great success for both countries.Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and the only countries in the EEA that are not in the EU.
Current candidate countries are: Albania. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Georgia.
Who joined the EU in 2024 : On 21 March 2024, all 27 EU leaders, representing the European Council, gathered for a summit in Brussels, where they unanimously approved opening EU membership negotiations for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What is the newest Schengen country : Bulgaria and Romania became the newest Member States to join the Schengen area as of 31 March 2024, any person crossing the internal air and sea borders will no longer be subject to checks.
Will Ireland become Schengen
For the Deputy's information, I can advise him that the Schengen Area encompasses most EU countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland. Bulgaria and Romania will join the Schengen area as of 31 March 2024. The non-EU States Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein also have joined the Schengen Area.
At the moment, Turkey is not a member of the EU or the Schengen area, a group of 23 EU member states and four non-EU countries. This means that anyone travelling on a Turkish passport has to apply for a Schengen Visa to enter the bloc or a country-specific tourist visa.The Czech Republic is a part of the Schengen area i.e. a group of countries which carry out no checks at their common borders and which have brought their efforts to fulfill the right of free movement of persons to a successful end. More information about the Schengen area can be found here.
Is Albania going to join Schengen : In 1999, the UK decided to opt out of becoming a member of Schengen – one of only 11 countries not included in the agreement (the others are Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine).