Before, Brits could spend 90 days in a Schengen Area country neighbouring Bulgaria or Romania, like Greece for example, and then head to Greece for 90 days before heading back to Bulgaria or Romania, without breaking the rule.
Impact for Brits as Romania and Bulgaria join the EU's Schengen Zone Romania and Bulgaria have officially joined the Schengen Area.
As of January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria are a part of the Schengen Area, meaning there will be no more land border checks between the two countries, as well as other Schengen Area countries.
Now as both countries have Schengen membership, Brits will no longer be able to hop between them and other Schengen Area countries for stays of over 90 days in any 180-day period — which is rolling.
For Brits, the biggest change will be that days spent in Bulgaria and Romania now count towards the Schengen allowance of 90 days in any 180-day period.
