Bulgaria is a country located in Southeast Europe and is often considered a popular tourist destination due to its rich history, culture, and beautiful landscapes. As a European country, questions about its relationship to the Schengen Agreement are commonly asked. In this article, we will explore whether Bulgaria is part of the Schengen Agreement.
The Schengen Agreement is an international treaty signed in 1985 that aims to abolish internal border controls between its member states. Currently, there are 26 European countries that are part of the Schengen Area, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Bulgaria is not yet a member of the Schengen Area, although it is actively working towards achieving membership. The country officially applied to join the Schengen Area in 2007, and since then, it has made significant progress in meeting the requirements for membership. However, the accession process has been delayed due to concerns over corruption and organized crime in the country.
To become a member of the Schengen Area, Bulgaria must pass a series of strict evaluations and meet specific criteria. These criteria include having secure borders, adopting common visa policies, and implementing Schengen standards for police and judicial cooperation. Bulgaria has implemented a range of measures to meet these requirements, including investing in border security and upgrading technological infrastructure.
In 2019, the European Commission confirmed that Bulgaria has made progress in meeting the necessary criteria for Schengen accession. However, the decision to approve Bulgaria`s membership has been postponed due to concerns over the country`s corruption record.
In conclusion, Bulgaria is not yet a member of the Schengen Agreement. It is actively working towards achieving membership and has made significant progress in meeting the requirements. However, the decision to approve Bulgaria`s membership is pending due to concerns over corruption. Once Bulgaria becomes a member of the Schengen Area, it will make travel to and within the country much easier for EU citizens and tourists.