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Do you need an ETIAS to travel to Bulgaria?

Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and, therefore, is set to join the Schengen area at the earliest. If Bulgaria becomes a member of Schengen in the next years, travelers will require an ETIAS to enter the country. Bulgaria joined the European Union along with Romania back in 2007. As a member of the EU, the country will eventually join the Schengen area at the earliest possible date once it fulfills the entrance criteria. According to the Bulgarian government, entering Schengen remains a high priority. Once Bulgaria joins Schengen, travelers will require an ETIAS visa waiver to access the territory.
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Why should Bulgaria join Schengen?

Bulgaria is a member state of the European Union. However, Bulgaria is still not a Schengen area country. Also, Bulgaria has not adopted the Euro yet. Both the adoption of the Euro and the access to Schengen are in the eventual future of Bulgaria, given its membership to the EU.

Nonetheless, even though Bulgaria hasn’t yet abolished its border policy and set up border-free zones with fellow EU members, it’s thoroughly committed to doing so soon. The country applies the Schengen acquis to multiple areas already.

Joining the Schengen area would boost the Bulgarian economy significantly, ensuring a constant flow of internal tourism from European countries. This will make it easier for travelers to travel to Bulgaria as it would abolish all entry checks. Bulgarians will also enjoy their freedom of movement and heightened work, study, and travel opportunities.

Will Bulgaria join Schengen in 2022?

Bulgaria has committed to joining the Schengen area soon, but there is no fixed date for when this will happen. The European Commissioner Ylva Johansson has spoken favorably about Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania soon becoming Schengen countries. Johansson believes welcoming the three countries into Schengen will strengthen European security and facilitate freedom of movement and cross-national opportunities among Europeans.

Currently, the European Commission is evaluating Bulgaria based on several criteria for Schengen membership, among which are: infrastructure and organization, personal data protection, police cooperation, and border control. Bulgaria has shown progress in all of these areas, but concerns remain regarding the country’s rampant corruption and organized crime.

Prime Minister Petkov recently remarked how it is time for Bulgaria to earn the trust of its European partners and show other governments that the country can keep its promises of modernization, integration, and cooperation.

Does traveling to Bulgaria require an ETIAS?

No, a visa ETIAS waiver is not required at present to enter Bulgaria. That’s because Bulgaria is not part of the Schengen area yet. Nonetheless, after this happens in the following years, it will be necessary for any traveler to receive an online authorization before showing up at the border. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will go live in 2025 and become mandatory in 2025, and it will impact hundreds of millions of travelers.

Applying for an ETIAS will be a simple process that does not require more than 10 minutes. Citizens from many nationalities, Argentinians included, will be able to apply if they own a passport, a valid email address, and sufficient funds. Bulgaria will maintain its border policy until it signs the Schengen Agreement in the future.

How to get European citizenship? Getting European citizenship is an increasingly popular topic for those seeking access to the many benefits of European Union membership. The easiest way to get EU citizenship is by being born in one of the 28 EU countries or having a parent or grandparent who is a citizen. Another route is to marry a citizen and have resided in the country of your spouse for at least three years before applying for citizenship.
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ETIAS Center
The Balkan peninsula location is in southeastern Europe, bounded by the Adriatic, Aegean, and Black Seas. This Balkan countries travel guide will have everything covered.
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ETIAS Center
Croatia is highly likely to obtain Schengen membership in the next years after an exhaustive evaluation between 2016 and 2020. Border problems persist with neighboring countries Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, but the country has shown steady progress. Croatia, the newest member of the European Union, could also become the latest member of the Schengen area in 2024. After careful review, the Council of the European Union declared in December 2021 that Croatia meets all 281 recommendations necessary to gain Schengen membership. In short, the Council could soon lift border checks and integrate Croatia within Schengen. The Balkan country would benefit heavily in terms of tourist numbers. If Croatia joins Schengen, it will also join the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS visa waiver).
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