EU Council approves "partial Schengen" for Bulgaria – what this means

For many years, the question of Bulgaria's admission to the Schengen Agreement remained open. Finally, on the eve of the new year 2024, the Council of the European Union almost unanimously adopted the decision to include Bulgaria in Schengen, but only partially. The date on which the new decision comes into force has also been announced – 31 March 2024. From this very date, it will be easier for many of our clients to travel to Bulgaria, and we, the Bulgaria Avenue real estate agency, will be able to help you buy a new flat in Varna, Burgas and any resort town on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast more quickly and efficiently.

The decision on partial Schengen for Bulgaria and Romania (the decision was taken for both countries simultaneously) contains several points which, in order to avoid misunderstandings, we would like to examine in more detail:

• What does «partial Schengen» mean? The concept has been introduced for the first time and has never been used before. The point is that from the end of March 2024, Bulgaria will become part of the Schengen zone only by air and sea. Passport and visa controls will remain at the land borders. Thus, upon arrival from Bulgaria to Greece by plane or ship and back, you can pass into the territory of this country through the corridors open to citizens of Schengen Agreement countries. Nobody will check your passport or visa. But should you travel to Greece by bus or car, you will have to pass through passport control.
• A Bulgarian visa has been obtained and is valid until the end of June 2024 – can it be used, or is it necessary to obtain a Schengen one? National visas issued by Bulgaria and Romania will be valid until their expiry date. They can be used to enter these countries and to transit through other Schengen Agreement states. With them, you may stay in these countries for a period of no more than 90 days within a 180-day period. All of this is possible provided that the state in question has recognised the national visa of Bulgaria or Romania.
• Visa-free entry by sea or land from Bulgaria may be made to the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia.
• When will land entry from Bulgaria to Schengen Agreement countries be opened? There is no answer to this question yet. It is expected to be considered at the end of 2024. In the meantime, monitoring of the land borders of Bulgaria and Romania, as well as random checks of seaports and airports, will be carried out. A positive decision on including the countries in the land Schengen will also depend on their readiness to accept refugees, who are currently being transferred mainly to other EU states.

Despite the ambiguity of the decision on «partial» Schengen, the majority of those living in Bulgaria view it positively. Thanks to inclusion in the visa-free area, more tourists will be able to visit Bulgaria. It is expected that this decision will give a boost to the real estate market. 

Any real changes will be visible no earlier than the 3rd–4th quarters of 2024. By that time, prices for flats and houses in Varna, Burgas, Nessebar, Sunny Beach and other resorts may well have risen.

If today it is difficult to buy a one-bedroom flat in the central districts of Varna for less than 50 thousand euros, and a two-bedroom flat for less than 90 thousand euros, then by the end of the year prices may amount to 53–55 thousand euros and 95 thousand euros respectively.

In Burgas, the rise in prices will lead to a one-bedroom flat in the centre, in the Lazur and Bratya Miladinovi districts, costing 48–50 thousand euros, two-bedroom flats – 95 thousand euros, and three-bedroom flats – from 120 thousand euros.

In Sunny Beach and Ravda, prices will remain more affordable, although they may also grow. It is expected that a studio will reach an average price of 34–36 thousand euros, two-bedroom flats – 60 thousand euros, three-bedroom apartments – 85 thousand euros.

Bulgaria Avenue will help you buy a studio, a house or a flat in Bulgaria close to the sea for permanent residence, holidays and rental. On our website you will find many attractive offers. Real estate in Varna, Burgas, Nessebar and Pomorie is a profitable investment!