Tag: Schengen area

greek passport

Greece Ranks High in 2025 Global Passport Power Index

Greece shares the sixth spot with Australia in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, granting visa-free access to 189 destinations. Singapore leads the ranking with access to 195 destinations, while Japan follows closely behind with 193. European nations dominate the top tier, showcasing the strength of the Schengen Area.

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Bulgaria, Greece Celebrate Schengen Expansion with Border Ceremonies

Bulgaria marked its entry into the Schengen Area with ceremonies at its borders with Greece and Romania. Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev symbolically raised the border barrier at the Kulata-Greece crossing, while Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov joined his Romanian counterpart at the Danube Bridge to celebrate the free movement now possible between the countries.

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EU Approves Full Schengen Membership for Bulgaria and Romania

The European Union has granted Bulgaria and Romania full membership in the Schengen Area, lifting land border controls starting January 1. This historic move allows seamless travel across borders, boosting trade, tourism, and economic integration. Leaders from both nations hailed the decision as a milestone for European unity and a major benefit for their economies. Despite concerns over migration, the announcement underscores the Schengen zone's role in fostering freedom of movement and cooperation across Europe.

eu passport

New EU Entry Requirements: What Non-EU Travelers Need to Know for Christmas Travel

As new travel requirements come into effect this November, non-EU travelers, including Americans, will need to navigate enhanced border controls when visiting Europe. The introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) will require biometric data collection, while the upcoming ETIAS system in 2025 will mandate online travel authorizations for visa-exempt countries. These changes aim to modernize Europe's border security and ensure compliance with stay limits.

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PM: EU closer to Greek positions on migrant returns

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cautioned against outsourcing EU asylum policy to non-member countries as migration tops the agenda at a leaders' summit. He highlighted the need for legal migration alongside efforts to curb irregular entries, emphasizing Greece's labor shortages while addressing criticisms over treatment of asylum seekers.

eu passport

EU Postpones Launch of New Electronic Border Check System

The European Commission has postponed the launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new automated border control mechanism for short-stay travelers, originally scheduled for November 10. The delay is due to readiness issues in key member states, and no new timeline has been set. The system, a significant reform, aims to modernize border checks and enhance security by digitalizing processes for non-EU visitors.

crucialtec has patented a transparent fingerprint scanner

Tourists Face New Travel Rules When Entering 29 Countries from November

From November 2024, the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will start for all non-EU nationals, including British nationals, travelling in or out of the Schengen area. The Schengen area is made up of 29 European countries, 25 of which are EU Member States. The EES is a digital border system which registers non-EU visitors travelling into the Schengen area instead of stamping their passports.