Passport checks for people flying between Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Romania will end starting March 31st, the Swiss government announced on January 24th.
The change comes after the European Union (EU) unanimously voted last month to abolish air and sea border controls with the two countries.
The move, welcomed by Swiss officials, aligns the country’s Schengen Area policies with the EU’s push towards freer movement across Europe.
Officials Do Not Expect Immigration Spike
Switzerland does not anticipate the change leading to increased migration, drawing on positive results after Croatia joined the EU free-travel zone in 2023.
Existing tools to prevent illegal immigration will remain active, authorities said.
The shift follows over a decade of negotiations between Brussels, Sofia, and Bucharest.
Austria lifted its veto of their accession last year after receiving guarantees that both countries would boost efforts against irregular migration into the EU.
An Important Milestone
As EU members since 2007, ending Romanian and Bulgarian border checks represents an important milestone towards their full integration into Europe’s borderless Schengen Area.
The region, created in 1985, permits over 400 million citizens of 27 countries to travel freely without document checks at internal borders.
It will expand to include 30 members once Bulgaria and Romania accede later this year.
Officials said that Sofia and Bucharest have agreed to fully apply EU law obliging all asylum applications to be processed in an immigrant’s port-of-entry.
Strengthening external border protections was a key condition for the countries’ approval.
Land Borders to See Ongoing Passport Checks
While air and sea travel restrictions end shortly, some limitations will remain.
Switzerland said that passport control at land crossings with Romania and Bulgaria will continue after March 31st until a separate EU decision lifts those barriers as well.
New Schengen Access Encourages Tourism, Business
The move grants EU tourists and short-term business travelers easier access to Switzerland without passport hurdles.
It offers convenience for Romanian and Bulgarian families, investors, digital nomads, and students eyeing visits.
However, the persisting land border checks mean that roadtrippers or long-term travelers may still encounter occasional document requests.
The EU’s upcoming ETIAS visa waiver, launching in May 2025, will facilitate many stays under 90 days across Schengen countries.
Countries Affirm United Stance on Immigration
By aligning Switzerland’s policies with the EU’s shift, authorities reaffirmed a shared stance on immigration with bloc members.
It signals solidarity on Schengen’s broader goal of strengthening external borders while enabling internal freedom of movement.
However, the move does not automatically grant Romanian and Bulgarian nationals new residential or work rights in Switzerland.
Like all non-EU migrants, they remain subject to existing Swiss immigration laws for longer-term relocations.
Open Borders Signal New Chapter
The Swiss decision to remove one more obstacle to free movement caps years of gradual progress toward Bulgaria and Romania’s full integration into borderless Europe.
While land crossings require further progress, lifting passport requirements for air travel by March 2024 signifies an important milestone.
The move signals a new chapter that brings the two EU members one step closer to enjoying the same travel freedoms as their neighbors.
As the Schengen Area continues expanding to accept new countries, it reaffirms the promise of open borders across an ever more unified Europe.
Passport checks for people flying between Switzerland and Bulgaria and Romania will end starting March 31st, the Swiss government announced on January 24th.The change comes after the European Union (EU) unanimously voted last month to abolish air and sea border controls with the two countries.The move, welcomed by Swiss officials, aligns the country’s Schengen Area policies with the EU’s push towards freer movement across Europe.Officials Do Not Expect Immigration SpikeSwitzerland does not anticipate the change leading to increased migration, drawing on positive results after Croatia joined the EU free-travel zone in 2023.Existing tools to prevent illegal immigration will remain active, authorities said.The shift follows over a decade of negotiations between Brussels and Sofia and Bucharest.Austria lifted its veto of their accession last year after receiving guarantees that both countries would boost efforts against irregular migration into the EU.An Important MilestoneAs EU members since 2007, ending Romanian and Bulgarian border checks represents an important milestone towards their full integration into Europe’s borderless Schengen Area.The region, created in 1985, permits over 400 million citizens of 27 countries to travel freely without document checks at internal borders.It will expand to include 30 members once Bulgaria and Romania accede later this year.Officials said that Sofia and Bucharest have agreed to fully apply EU law obliging all asylum applications be processed in an immigrant’s port-of-entry.Strengthening external border protections was a key condition for the countries’ approval.Land Borders to See Ongoing Passport ChecksWhile air and sea travel restrictions end shortly, some limitations will remain.Switzerland said that passport control at land crossings with Romania and Bulgaria will continue after March 31st until a separate EU decision lifts those barriers as well.New Schengen Access Encourages Tourism, BusinessThe move grants EU tourists and short-term business travelers easier access to Switzerland without passport hurdles.It offers convenience for Romanian and Bulgarian families, investors, digital nomads, and students eyeing visits.However, the persisting land border checks mean that road trippers or long-term travelers may still encounter occasional document requests. The EU’s upcoming ETIAS visa waiver, launching in May 2025, will facilitate many stays under 90 days across Schengen countries.Countries Affirm United Stance on ImmigrationBy aligning Switzerland’s policies with the EU’s shift, authorities reaffirmed a shared stance on immigration with bloc members.It signals solidarity on Schengen’s broader goal of strengthening external borders while enabling internal freedom of movement.However, the move does not automatically grant Romanian and Bulgarian nationals new residential or work rights in Switzerland.Like all non-EU migrants, they remain subject to existing Swiss immigration laws for longer-term relocations.Open Borders Signal New ChapterThe Swiss decision to remove one more obstacle to free movement caps years of gradual progress towards Bulgaria and Romania’s full integration into borderless Europe.While land crossings require further progress, lifting passport requirements for air travel by March 2024 signifies an important milestone. The move signals a new chapter that brings the two EU members one step closer towards enjoying the same travel freedoms as their neighbors.As the Schengen Area continues expanding to accept new countries, it reaffirms the promise of open borders across an ever more unified Europe.