Bulgaria’s Ruse Sees Soaring Tourism Thanks To Landmark Schengen Membership

Miercuri aprilie 16, 2025

Insights cheie

• The recent full integration of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Zone has delivered a major uplift to tourism flows across both nations.
• One of the most noticeable surges has been observed at the Danube bridge linking Ruse in Bulgaria with Giurgiu in Romania.
• Between January and March 2025, approximately 160,000 vehicles crossed the Giurgiu border checkpoint, reflecting heightened mobility and interest from regional travelers.

The complete entry of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Zone has sparked a surge in tourism across both Balkan nations since the start of 2025.

Traffic across the Danube Bridge linking Ruse, Bulgaria, and Giurgiu, Romania, has seen a sharp rise following the countries’ full inclusion in the Schengen Zone.

Data from Romania’s national road administration shows that nearly 160,000 vehicles crossed the Giurgiu border between January and March 2025—up from 128,000 during the same period in 2024.

The increase is largely driven by Romanian travelers heading to Ruse for shopping, leisure, and sightseeing, fueling a strong tourism rebound.

This influx of visitors has translated into substantial gains for local businesses. Hotels and restaurants in Ruse are reporting rising revenues, with restaurant operators noting that Schengen integration has significantly boosted footfall and tourism activity.

Full Schengen Membership Implemented from January 2025
As of January 1, 2025, Bulgaria and Romania have officially joined the Schengen Zone in full, resulting in the removal of all land border checks between them and other Schengen member states.

This development followed the formal approval by EU ministers, granting both Balkan nations full access to Europe’s border-free travel zone.

Previously, in March 2024, Bulgaria and Romania had only achieved partial Schengen access—limited to air and sea routes—while land border controls remained in place under a transitional agreement.