Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen area on 1 January 2025, when checks on persons at their internal land borders were lifted. The decision was taken by the Council of the EU in December 2024 and completes a process that began on 31 March 2024, when checks at internal air and sea borders with both countries were removed.
With the two new members, the Schengen area now covers 29 European countries — 25 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Cyprus and Ireland are the only EU countries outside it.
What changes in practice
- No routine border checks when travelling by road or rail between Romania, Bulgaria and their Schengen neighbours, such as Hungary and Greece.
- One area for short stays. Days spent in Romania and Bulgaria now count towards the same 90-days-in-180 limit as the rest of Schengen.
- Temporary checks are still possible. As elsewhere in Schengen, countries can temporarily reintroduce internal border controls in exceptional situations, so always carry your passport and residence documents.
What it means for residence card holders in Poland
If you hold a valid Polish residence card or a Polish national (D-type) visa, you can travel to other Schengen countries — now including Romania and Bulgaria — for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as long as you carry a valid passport.
Remember that this is a right to travel, not to work: your Polish permit allows you to work in Poland only. Working in another Schengen country requires authorisation from that country.
Looking ahead
Travel across Schengen's external borders is also changing: the EU is preparing to replace passport stamps with a digital Entry/Exit System and to introduce ETIAS, a pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors.
Questions about travelling on your Polish documents? Contact our team.