Visas

A special visa agreement between Greece and Australia went into effect on Monday, July 1, making it easier for young people to travel between the two countries and enjoy an extended holiday.

The European Union passed a regulation on June 6 on the visa code regulation to improve conditions for legitimate travelers, as well as increase the tools available to respond to the challenges posed by illegal migration.         

EC spokesman Alexander Winterstein said that President Jean-Claude Juncker's position on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen has not changed, the BNR said. He said this in response to a question about the Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok's request during his visit in Bulgaria.

Turkey's top priority in its agenda with the European Union is visa liberalization, which will allow Turkish citizens visa-free travel in the Schengen area, said a joint declaration of the sixth meeting of the Reform Action Group.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila stated on Friday in Arad that "the political decision of some member states impede us to join the Schengen Area," adding that following the informal Summit in Sibiu decisions should be made that can also be noted Romania. "The Sibiu Summit is important for our country, each country which holds the rotating presidency has an informal summit.

"The move by the Dutch parliament is unprecedented, because as far as I know, previously has not been such a demand for the Western Balkans and our countries," he said.

Police inspections at airports are to become stricter from this week for European citizens traveling to countries that are not members of the border-free Schengen area.

Specifically, in accordance with European regulations first adopted in 2017, travelers will be required to show a passport and not just a police identity card to facilitate database security checks.

The residence permits issued last year to citizens of countries outside the European Union who bought properties for at least 250,000 euros each grew 46 percent from 2017, according to the latest data from the Migration Policy Ministry.

European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos said he was pleased with the fact that the European Parliament recognized the importance of a visa-free regime for Kosovo.

The government approved additional spending on the budget of the Ministry of Interior amounting to BGN 3 000 000, the government's press service announced.

The amount is for the financing of projects related to the implementation of urgent measures for 2019 for the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Schengen area.