SOFIA – Bulgaria, as a member of Schengen, will continue to contribute to the overall security of the European Union. This was stated by Bulgaria’s Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov during the international conference “Bulgaria in Schengen,” part of a series of initiatives by the European Union (EU) to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement.
According to him, ensuring the internal security of the country and at the borders remains a top priority for the government. “After the removal of control at internal borders, we are implementing a full range of compensatory measures, thanks to which we do not report changes in crime levels,” said the minister. He added that in November, Bulgaria is set to undergo its first periodic assessment under Schengen, now as a full member. We expect positive results that will demonstrate the excellent preparedness of the staff for the implementation of Schengen legislation, Mitov stated.
Bulgaria has invested significant resources to enhance the security of its borders by modernizing equipment, technical infrastructure, and information-communication systems, said Mitov. According to him, Schengen contributes to economic development, the transport sector, and tourism, facilitating the transfer of goods and promoting Bulgaria as a tourist destination. Schengen is the brightest symbol of European unity, trust, and solidarity, said the Minister of Interior.
For the second consecutive year, a 70% decrease in migrant pressure towards Bulgaria has been reported, announced Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov, Director of the General Directorate “Border Police” (GDGP). He stated that Bulgaria is a secure external border of the European Union and is becoming increasingly secure.
Bulgaria’s membership in Schengen is recognition of its ability to effectively protect one of the most sensitive and heavily trafficked borders of the European Union, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Elena Shekerletova. “Just from the delay in removing land border control, Bulgaria has lost over 1.6 billion leva annually,” she added. Europe is facing a number of challenges, but through solidarity, trust, and joint efforts, we can preserve Schengen as one of the most valuable achievements of European integration, Shekerletova further pointed out.
Bulgaria became a full member of the Schengen area on January 1, 2025, after a process lasting 18 years. The decision to remove checks at Bulgaria’s and Romania’s land Schengen borders at the beginning of this year was made by the EU Council on December 12, 2024, at the end of the Hungarian presidency. It affects checks at the borders of Bulgaria with Greece and Romania, and of Romania with Bulgaria and Hungary. As of March 31, 2024, checks at the air and sea Bulgarian and Romanian Schengen borders were removed by a decision made at the end of the Spanish presidency in 2023. (October 24, 2025)
