Among the Balkan and Eastern European countries, Bulgaria and Romania, both of which have their own unique attractions, will join the Schengen Agreement in March of this year (2024). This means that until then, travelers from other EU countries entering Bulgaria and Romania would have to undergo even a simple border check at the border. Their applications were refused in 2022 by Austria, which has long complained about having to deal with an excessive amount of illegal immigration due to poorly maintained external Schengen borders. The Schengen Area currently includes 23 of the 27 European nations, as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, and allows people to travel freely between member countries without having to pass through a border process.
But starting this year (2024), the two countries will join the Schengen Agreement. Note that this starts on March 31 of this year.
However, it’s important to note that the Schengen agreement for Bulgaria and Romania is not yet full Schengen. From March 2024, the agreement will only apply to air and sea travel. This means that you will still have to go through immigration if you enter by land.
The map above shows which nations do not require a visa to enter the European Union. Countries in green do not require a visa; countries in yellow require a visa upon arrival; and countries in light blue require an electronic visa. Some of the countries that are visa-free include Canada, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Common countries that require visas on arrival include Iraq, Somalia, Nepal, and Indonesia, while countries that require e-visas include Russia, Iran, India, Pakistan, and South Sudan.