Passport-Free Travel: Romanians and Bulgarians Granted Air and Sea Access to EU from March 2024

A significant development emerges as citizens of EU members Romania and Bulgaria gain the privilege of traveling without passports by air or sea to numerous EU countries, Norway, and Switzerland starting March 31, 2024. The decision, endorsed by the council of EU governments, extends the Schengen area—Europe’s passport-free travel zone—to encompass 25 out of the 27 EU countries, offering unprecedented ease and accessibility. Notably, this expansion excludes EU members Ireland and Cyprus, requiring EU citizens to carry passports for entry. This announcement heralds a new era of seamless travel, fostering closer ties within Europe.