Q&A - Schengen
1. Which countries are part of the Schengen area?
As of 31 March 2024, the Schengen area comprises 29 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
2. Will border controls at Romania's borders be lifted?
Controls on persons will be lifted at internal sea and air borders as of 31 March 2024, in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code, without affecting the rules on controls on goods.
Checks at the internal land borders (Romania-Bulgaria and Romania-Hungary) will be maintained until a further decision on this issue is taken.
Checks at the internal land borders (Romania-Bulgaria and Romania-Hungary) will be maintained until a further decision on this issue is taken.
3. How will the right of residence in the Schengen area be calculated after 31 March 2024?
Stays in Romania will be considered as stays in the Schengen area, so they will be included in the calculation of the maximum stay of 90 days in any 180-day period.
E.g.: A foreign citizen holding a Schengen visa valid for 90 days, issued by Romania and staying in Romania for 80 days, will have a further 10 days right of residence in another Schengen Member State
E.g.: A foreign citizen holding a Schengen visa valid for 90 days, issued by Romania and staying in Romania for 80 days, will have a further 10 days right of residence in another Schengen Member State
4. Will short-stay visas issued by Romania allow travel to the Schengen area?
Yes. Romania will issue uniform (Schengen) visas from 31 March 2024. Uniform visas issued after this date will allow travel to the Schengen area for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, the visa applicant will, as a rule, have to apply for a visa from the state which is the main destination for his/her trip.
Visas issued before 31 March 2024 will be valid for the entire period of their validity, only for entry into Romania, but also under the conditions set out in Decision No 565/2014/EU.
E.g.: A foreign citizen holding a visa issued by Romania before 31 March 2024 with two or multiple entries will be able to travel on the basis of the Romanian visa to Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
Visas issued before 31 March 2024 will be valid for the entire period of their validity, only for entry into Romania, but also under the conditions set out in Decision No 565/2014/EU.
E.g.: A foreign citizen holding a visa issued by Romania before 31 March 2024 with two or multiple entries will be able to travel on the basis of the Romanian visa to Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
5. I hold a short-stay visa issued by Romania before 31 March 2024. Do I need a visa to travel to another Schengen country?
Yes. The holder of a short-stay visa issued by Romania before 31 March 2024, who intends to travel to the Schengen area, will have to apply for a visa to be issued by the authorities of the state to which he/she intends to travel.
6. I have a short-stay visa issued by Romania before 31 March 2024 and my flight has a stopover in a Schengen Member State. Do I need a visa to transit through an airport in the Schengen area?
Yes. The state competent for issuing the Schengen visa is Romania, since it is the state which is the main destination for his/her trip.
7. I need a Schengen visa to arrive in Hungary after 31 March 2024 and I want to transit Bulgaria, Romania by land. Do I need a multiple entry visa?
No. A single-entry visa is sufficient for land transit through all Schengen countries, regardless of whether or not land border control has been lifted.