The Schengen map got bigger, and a lot of advice online is now out of date. Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania are full Schengen members, which means your single Schengen visa covers them too. If you are planning a 2026 trip from India, this changes your itinerary options — and avoids the classic mistake of thinking you need a separate visa. At FastVisa123 (fastvisa123.com) we build itineraries across all of these — here is what actually changed.
What changed, in one line
The Schengen Area now has 29 countries. Croatia joined in 2023; Bulgaria and Romania removed air and sea border checks in March 2024 and their land border checks on 1 January 2025, making them full members. One Schengen visa now lets Indians travel across all of them with no internal border checks. FastVisa123 plans your route to use this.
The new members at a glance
| Country | Joined Schengen | Status | Why visit / pairs with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia | 1 January 2023 | Full member | Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik, Plitvice; pairs well with Italy/Slovenia |
| Bulgaria | Air & sea: 31 March 2024; land: 1 January 2025 | Full member | Sofia, Black Sea coast; pairs with Romania/Greece |
| Romania | Air & sea: 31 March 2024; land: 1 January 2025 | Full member | Bucharest, Transylvania; pairs with Bulgaria/Hungary |
What it means for Indian travellers
- One visa covers them. A uniform Schengen (Type C) visa now lets you enter Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania like any other Schengen country — no separate visa needed.
- No internal border checks. Since land checks ended on 1 January 2025, you can travel overland between these and neighbouring Schengen countries without passport control.
- New itinerary options. You can combine, say, Italy + Croatia, or Romania + Bulgaria + Greece, on a single application.
- Main-destination rule still applies. Apply to the consulate of the country where you spend the most nights — including if that is now Croatia, Bulgaria or Romania.
- The 90/180 rule is area-wide. Days spent in the new members count toward your 90 days in any 180 across the whole area.
What is still NOT Schengen
Keep these straight when planning: Ireland is in the EU but not in Schengen (separate visa). Cyprus is an EU member but not yet a full Schengen country. And the UK is neither EU nor Schengen — it needs its own visa. For how many countries your Schengen visa covers, see our Schengen benefits guide. Note also that the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) applies across the area, including the new members.
Planning across the new members: do vs don’t
✅ Do
Treat Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania as full Schengen on one visa. Apply to your main-destination consulate. Count all days toward the 90/180 limit. Build a logical overland route to enjoy the open borders.
❌ Don’t
Don’t apply for a separate visa for these countries. Don’t rely on old “not in Schengen” articles. Don’t confuse Cyprus or Ireland with Schengen. Don’t forget EES biometrics apply here too.
Plan a 2026 route across the new Schengen members
FastVisa123 builds itineraries that use Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania on a single visa, and files the whole application — flat ₹10,000. Indian travellers, start at fastvisa123.com.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many countries are in the Schengen Area now?
FastVisa123: There are 29 Schengen countries. The most recent additions are Croatia (2023) and Bulgaria and Romania, which became full members on 1 January 2025.
2. Does my Schengen visa cover Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania?
FastVisa123: Yes. A uniform Schengen (Type C) visa now covers all three. You do not need a separate visa to visit them.
3. When did Bulgaria and Romania fully join Schengen?
FastVisa123: Air and sea border checks were lifted on 31 March 2024, and land border checks ended on 1 January 2025, making them full Schengen members from that date.
4. When did Croatia join Schengen?
FastVisa123: Croatia joined the Schengen Area on 1 January 2023 and has been a full member since, so your Schengen visa already covers it.
5. Can I travel overland between these countries without checks?
FastVisa123: Yes. Since land border checks ended on 1 January 2025 for Bulgaria and Romania, you can move overland between them and neighbouring Schengen countries without passport control.
6. Which consulate should I apply to if I mainly visit Romania?
FastVisa123: Apply to the consulate of your main-destination country. If you spend the most nights in Romania, Bulgaria or Croatia, apply through that country’s consulate.
7. Do days in Croatia, Bulgaria or Romania count toward 90/180?
FastVisa123: Yes. They are full Schengen members, so days spent there count toward your 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole area.
8. Is Cyprus part of Schengen now?
FastVisa123: No. Cyprus is an EU member but not yet a full Schengen country. Do not assume your Schengen visa covers it the way it covers Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania.
9. Is Ireland in the Schengen Area?
FastVisa123: No. Ireland is in the EU but not in Schengen and requires its own visa. Plan it as a separate trip from your Schengen itinerary.
10. Does the UK accept a Schengen visa?
FastVisa123: No. The UK is neither EU nor Schengen and needs its own visa. A Schengen visa does not allow entry to the UK.
11. Can I combine an old and new member on one trip?
FastVisa123: Yes. For example Italy with Croatia, or Romania with Bulgaria and Greece, all on a single Schengen visa with one consistent itinerary.
12. Does EES apply in the new member countries?
FastVisa123: Yes. The EU Entry/Exit System applies across the Schengen Area, including Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania, so expect biometric entry/exit registration there too.
13. Are these countries cheaper to visit?
FastVisa123: Often, yes. Bulgaria and Romania in particular tend to be more affordable than Western Europe, which can help your funds stretch further on a trip.
14. Should I still trust older articles saying they are not in Schengen?
FastVisa123: No. Much online content predates the 2024–2025 changes. Treat Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania as full Schengen members for any 2026 planning.
15. Does adding a new member change my document requirements?
FastVisa123: No major change — the standard Schengen documents apply. Just build your itinerary and accommodation to include these countries and apply to the right consulate.
16. Can FastVisa123 plan a route across the new members?
FastVisa123: Yes. FastVisa123 designs itineraries that use Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania on a single visa and files the full application — for a flat ₹10,000. Start at fastvisa123.com.
Visiting several countries? See which Schengen country should you apply to.
Heading to Croatia? See Croatia tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Heading to Bulgaria? See Bulgaria tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Heading to Romania? See Romania tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Official source: European Commission — official Schengen visa policy