Send to Kindle
Photo: Stella Ivanova
As the clock strikes 00:20 on March 31, a significant milestone unfolds at Sofia Airport, marking Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen area by air. The inaugural Schengen flight from Naples, operated by a low-cost airline, will touch down on Sunday, symbolizing a new era of borderless travel for the nation.
Passengers disembarking from the historic flight will find themselves unencumbered by passport control procedures, swiftly collecting their luggage and exiting the airport premises without hindrance from border authorities. This seamless transition signals the commencement of Bulgaria's integration into the Schengen zone, facilitating smoother travel experiences for citizens and visitors alike.
The abolition of border checks for Bulgaria and Romania by air and sea with Schengen member states, effective from March 31, represents a significant milestone in the country's journey towards complete European integration. To commemorate this momentous occasion, festivities are slated to unfold, with the morning of March 31 heralding the arrival of a celebratory flight from Berlin.
Similarly, at Varna Airport, the dawn of Schengen integration is marked by the arrival of the first Schengen flight from Berlin at 01:25 a.m. The airport authorities will orchestrate a warm reception, also welcoming passengers from the German city of Memmingen.
Meanwhile, Burgas Airport will join in the festivities, unlocking its borders at 10:20 a.m. with the arrival of a flight from Krakow, Poland.
Sofia Airport stands ready to facilitate seamless travel for passengers to and from Schengen countries and beyond. Rigorous preparations ensure the efficient handling of passengers and cargo, bolstering Bulgaria's connectivity and accessibility on the global stage.
Amidst the historic Schengen debut, Bulgaria also prepares to transition to summer time at 03:00 a.m. on March 31, signifying the onset of longer days and warmer weather. As the clocks spring forward by one hour, the nation embraces the promise of a brighter future intertwined with its European destiny.
Bulgaria’s retailers are increasingly facing an unusual but growing challenge – customers arriving with jars full of small coins to pay their expenses
As the clock strikes midnight and Bulgaria welcomes 2026, the country will also enter a historic financial shift - the beginning of its transition to the euro
Small and medium-sized enterprises in Bulgaria are expected to face the greatest difficulties once the euro becomes the country’s official currency in 202
New research shows that the cost of ski holidays across Europe has climbed by almost 35% above the inflation rate since 2015
Bulgaria’s transition to the euro is approaching, and from January 1, 2026, the European currency will officially replace the lev
Bulgaria could face uncertainty in fuel supplies in the coming months, warned Radoslav Ribarski
The chairman of the Union of Tourist Businesses, Malin Bystrin, has expressed serious concerns over Bulgaria’s readiness to adopt the euro starting January 1
The tourism sector in Bansko is voicing significant concerns regarding payment procedures and revenue reporting as Bulgaria transitions from the lev to the euro
Wizz Air today begins operating direct flights from Sofia to two new destinations: Turin, Italy, and Marrakech, Morocco, as part of its winter schedule
Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia, Bulgaria, has announced the addition of several new international routes, expanding its network to include flights to Chisinau, Krakow and Prague
More than 90% of hoteliers in Bulgaria report difficulties in recruiting employees, with roles such as cooks, maids, and waiters being the most sought after
Bulgarian airline GullivAir is preparing to launch its first-ever direct flights between Sofia and the United States, connecting the capital with New York and Chicago starting in April 2026
Bulgaria's Strategic Role in the EU's Drone Wall Defense Initiative
When Politics Means Violence
