Serbia plans to join Schengen by 2027
Serbia has announced an ambitious plan to join the Schengen Area by the end of 2027. This goal is surprising, as the country is not yet a member of the European Union, which is the standard condition for participation in the free-travel zone.
For comparison, Bulgaria waited 18 years for its full Schengen membership. After long negotiations and diplomatic efforts, our country began a phased accession, with checks at air and sea borders being lifted as of March 2024.
Although Serbia is not part of the EU, the government in Belgrade is striving to accelerate the processes of modernizing infrastructure and border control. The authorities' goal is to facilitate the movement of people and goods, which is of key importance for the economic development of the region.
Experts note that such a goal requires serious reforms and full cooperation with European institutions. It remains to be seen whether Serbia will succeed in meeting the strict security requirements in such a short timeframe.
The topic remains relevant to Bulgarian society, as our proximity to Schengen countries directly affects travel and trade in the region. Bulgarian citizens continue to follow the development of the processes for the full removal of land border checks.