Complementary fact-finding report on Bulgaria and Romania's readiness for Schengen enlargement

In view of continuously supporting Member States to make a subsequent decision on the full application of the Schengen acquis in Bulgaria and Romania, and particularly in view of responding to the interest for additional information expressed by one Member State, the Commission coordinated a complementary fact-finding mission between 14 and 18 November 2022, including on-site visits in Sofia and in the consulate of Bulgaria in Istanbul (on 16 November) and in Bucharest and in the consulate of Romania in Istanbul (on 17 November). Both Bulgaria and Romania expressed their full openness for this complementary mission to be organised. The aim of this complementary fact-finding mission was to provide recent and additional information on Romania’s and Bulgaria’s implementation of visa policy, data protection and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. Experts from several Member States, the Council, the European Commission and Eurojust took part in the complementary mission.

Report of the mission

Full participation for Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia in the Schengen area