The borderless customs union of Europe known as the Schengen Zone is about to expand, which will affect travellers and digital nomads. The Schengen family will soon include two more nations—Bulgaria and Romania—bringing the overall number of members to 29. Travellers from outside of Europe will be affected by this development significantly, particularly those who frequently visit or work in Europe.

Bulgaria and Romania's Path to Schengen

After waiting for years, Bulgaria and Romania now have all the prerequisites in place for full Schengen membership by the end of 2023. Due to worries about transnational crime, illegal immigration, and security challenges, they remained on a "waiting list" even after joining the European Union in 2007. 

But both nations have taken action to resolve these issues, and the European Commission has offered its support. The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Zone is imminent.

Implications for Travelers and Digital Nomads

The regulations for non-European travellers will change once Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen Area. Travellers from outside the European Union are currently permitted a 90-day stay within a 180-day span in the Schengen Area. 

Bulgaria and Romania have been added, so the 90-day restriction now applies to time spent there. This means that when scheduling their overall time in the Schengen Area, travellers must account for their stay in these nations.

There are still options available even though the Schengen Zone's enlargement would shorten the length of stays for long-term and digital nomad travellers. There are options for extended travel beyond the 90-day restriction in nations like Ireland and Cyprus, which are EU members but do not belong to the Schengen Area. 

In addition, non-Schengen Balkan nations including Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Kosovo welcome visitors for a total of 90 days, offering a variety of opportunities for travel and employment.

Long-term travellers and digital nomads may need to modify their plans to comply with the new laws as the Schengen Zone expands to include Bulgaria and Romania. To get the most out of your European adventures, it's critical to stay knowledgeable about the always-evolving travel industry and to take advantage of your possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Can tourists who visit Bulgaria or Romania stay in the continent for more than 90 days?

Travellers are currently permitted to stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days, then extend their stay in Bulgaria or Romania. However, time spent in Bulgaria and Romania will count towards the 90-day restriction whenever they accede to the Schengen Agreement.

Will travellers from Europe be impacted by the Schengen Zone expansion?

Travellers from outside of Europe will be particularly affected by the Schengen Zone enlargement. There won't be any big changes that will affect how freely people can move around the Schengen Area in Europe.

Are there any anticipated changes to the Schengen Area's travel regulations for EU citizens?

The enlargement of the Schengen Zone will not immediately impact the travel policies of citizens of the European Union (EU). EU nationals will maintain their present level of unfettered movement within the Schengen Area.