The Schengen area is an area without internal borders that includes most European Union Member States as well as some other non-EU countries. Thanks to the Schengen agreement, travelers between these countries can cross borders without having to check their passports. This means that you can move freely between these countries by presenting only a valid identity document, such as a passport or ID card. If you have a valid visa or residence permit for one of these countries, you can also visit other Schengen countries.
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afterword European Parliament call on the Council to approve the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen free travel area by the end of 2023.
In a resolution adopted on Wednesday by 526 votes in favour, 57 against and 42 abstentions, Parliament stresses that both countries have already met the necessary conditions for admission to the Schengen area. MEPs deplore the decision of the Council of 8 December 2022 to reject their membership "without providing any legal justification related to the accession criteria". A larger Schengen area without border controls would make the EU stronger, say MEPs, noting that all member states have the right to join the Schengen area as soon as they are ready.
Bulgarian and Romanian citizens face discrimination, delays, bureaucratic difficulties and additional costs
According to Parliament, the fact that Romania and Bulgaria are still outside the visa-free zone places a social and economic burden on the businesses and people of both countries. Bulgarian and Romanian citizens are discriminated against because they face delays, bureaucratic and additional difficulties costs while traveling or doing business abroad compared to their Schengen counterparts, the text says. MEPs note that delays at border crossings faced by Romanians and Bulgarians can last from several hours to even days - compared with an average of 10 minutes without internal border controls - which also worsens the working conditions of truck drivers.
Within the Schengen area, you can travel between the following countries
The Schengen area countries include: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Spain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Italy, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland (the last 4 are Schengen countries and are not part of the EU).
Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania are EU Member States that are not part of the Schengen area.
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Credit and photo: EU/European Parliament
