Croatia has been approved to join Europe’s open travel zone, but Bulgaria and Romania have been denied entry due to Austrian resistance over concerns about unauthorized immigration.
Croatia was accepted as the 27th member of the Schengen zone following talks in Brussels between the bloc’s interior ministers. People will no longer require to stop for border security checks as they can travel between Croatia and the rest of the zone beginning in 2023.
Do I Need A Passport To Enter Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria?
Croatia has been a European Union member since 2013, and Romania and Bulgaria have been members since 2007. However, none have been a part of the Schengen zone until now. This means that an identity card or a passport is necessary to access these nations, even if arriving from a Schengen country. It currently consists of 26 countries, including 22 EU member states, with a population of almost 420 million.
When Will Romania And Bulgaria Become Schengen Area Members?
Romania and Bulgaria have been waiting for confirmation for more than a decade.
The Netherlands voted against Bulgaria’s bid to join the EU. They did this because of unresolved concerns about the rule of law and pending legislation to deal with corruption and organized crime.
Bulgaria, led by a caretaker government since August, has refuted these assertions, arguing that the opposition has nothing to do with the Schengen criteria.
Following the meeting, Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev told Euronews, “Two member states communicated reservations, but they do not have any specific concerns with relations to Schengen.” He added that his country was prepared to take the “necessary steps” to persuade its sceptical partners.
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson has pledged that the Commission will “stay positive” and push for the accession before the conclusion of her term in office.
According to Johansson, as members of the European Union, “we are so strong, we can achieve so much.” He said, “We are not united when it agrees between Romania and Bulgaria, and this makes us very weak.
What Currency Is Used In Croatia?
Currently, travellers to Croatia must exchange their currency, as the country will continue to use the kuna until January of next year. Currently, one Croatian kuna equals around €0.13. However, beginning the following year, Croatia will adopt the euro. The country now joins the other 19 members of the bloc using the currency.
The eastern European country hopes this will make its people more financially secure and raise their standard of living. It should help stop inflation from going up too fast, which means prices will stay the same for travellers.
For more information please call us at call us on 8595338595 or mail us at [email protected]
