Travellers have been warned they have just two weeks left to freely roam through Romania and Bulgaria before a border change will make it more difficult and time consuming for Brits to plan a holiday in the Balkan countries. Unlike the other EU border changes that have started impacting Brits because of Brexit, this move is actually well over a decade in the making.
Brits will need to check if they can access an ETIAS permit before heading on their travels as Romania and Bulgaria are joining the Schengen Zone, thus expanding the Schengen border. Air and sea borders around Romania and Bulgaria had already changed in March, so flying from the UK to these countries won’t be any different from the last nine months.
The difference lies in travelling between them as the countries’ official accession to Schengen Zone on January 1 means there’s fewer border checks crossing from Bulgaria to Romania or vice versa. Random border checks are expected to take place until June 2025 and this is when Brits will need to be holding their ETIAS permits according to Magdalena Petrusic from Plitvice Lakes Tours.
Additionally, as of January 1, any time you spend in either Bulgaria or Romania will count towards the 90-day limit non-Schengen citizens are allowed to be in the Schengen Zone without a visa. Joining the Schengen Zone has been a move 13 years in the making for both countries.
The expert noted this now means UK travellers will need to plan well in advance before jetting off so they can send in their €7 (£5.77) applications and receive their permit. The ETIAS system is expected to be fully operational next year. These travel permits do not grant holders the right to study or work in a country but do allow them to visit for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
ETIAS could be a major stumbling block for unsuspecting Brits with travel plans in Europe next year as it requires all citizens of non-EU or non-Schengen countries with visa-free access to have a permit. It’s expected to take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days for your application to be reviewed either online or through a mobile app.
The expert recommended giving a week of leeway to account for any delays in your application being processed. However, once you receive your ETIAS permit it is valid for three years, or until your passport expires. It will become a mandatory requirement for travellers once the system is fully operational.