Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen — Golden Visa Options for Indians

Romania and Bulgaria became the Schengen Area’s newest members on January 1, 2025, a change that instantly raised the profile of both countries’ Golden Visa offers for Indian investors. For many families and business owners in India who want a stable base in Europe, the key draw is simple: a residence card from either Romania or Bulgaria now allows visa-free movement across the wider Schengen zone.

After years of debate in Brussels, and a phased start with air and sea border checks lifted from March 31, 2024, the full step into Schengen has turned two less-discussed programs into routes that tie one investment to free travel among 29 Schengen countries. VisaVerge.com reports that the upgrade in access is already fueling a fresh wave of interest from Indian buyers who see these programs as cost-effective alternatives to older Western European residency routes.

What changed with Schengen accession

• Both countries aligned their border and visa rules with Schengen standards during the run-up to accession, bringing common checks and systems across new and existing members.
• Bulgaria maintained land border controls with Romania through the first half of 2025 as a precaution, easing them by mid-year.
• The practical shift for investors: a Romanian or Bulgarian residence permit now opens the same airport gates as permits issued by longer-standing Schengen states.

According to VisaVerge.com, this single change has made the residency cards issued by these two countries far more useful for frequent travelers, students, and business owners who travel across Europe.

Why Indian investors are interested

The attraction works on two levels:
1. Movement — Investors and their families can travel freely inside the Schengen zone for short stays without extra visas.
2. Settlement — Residency can be renewed and, after meeting national requirements, may lead to permanent residence and later citizenship.

Key program features:
– Investment routes usually include real estate, government bonds, or business capital.
– Typical entry-level real estate investments are commonly quoted at €100,000 to €250,000, though figures vary by city and program design.
– Programs have tightened checks in recent years to match EU standards while remaining accessible for families and business use.

Romania vs Bulgaria — program focuses

Romania
– Emphasizes property and business investment.
– Investors may purchase property or set up/expand a business to qualify.
– Appeals to those seeking a mix of growing economy and Schengen travel access.

Bulgaria
– Has traditionally offered government bond options and real estate routes.
– Bond options appeal to buyers who prefer set sums and clearer timelines.
– Both programs now emphasize stronger due diligence and documentation.

How the process typically works

1. Choose the investment route: property, government bonds, or business investment.
2. Place the funds and document the source of funds (central requirement).
3. File for the residence permit with proof of investment, clean criminal record, health insurance, and civil documents for family members.
4. Receive a temporary residence card after approval.
5. Comply with renewals and stay rules; after required years, apply for permanent residence or citizenship where eligible.

Experts note that timelines and thresholds differ by country and can change. The biggest shifts tend to be in the fine print — renewal frequency, required days of stay, and documentation standards.

Practical planning beyond the entry cost

Investors should plan for:
– Keeping the investment in place for renewal cycles.
– How many days to spend in-country each year to satisfy tie requirements.
– Proof of ongoing ties (schools, business activity, property use) to support renewals.

Many buyers use a rotation plan: spend part of the year on the ground, keep schools/business links active, and maintain clear movement records — an approach that aligns with the coming EU Entry/Exit System.

EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and border tech

• The EU’s new Entry/Exit System is scheduled to begin in October 2025.
• EES will log movements in and out of external Schengen borders with a digital record, aiming to speed checks and enhance security.
• For Romanian and Bulgarian permit holders, EES should mean smoother airport and seaport crossings and clearer travel records — helpful for permit renewals.
• Officials emphasize that EES will not add hurdles for lawful residents but will standardize checks.

Benefits for families and businesses

Families
– Parents gain a stable European base for schooling, internships, and university visits.
– A residence card from Romania or Bulgaria enables cross-border weekend trips and educational visits inside Schengen without extra visas.

Founders and businesses
– Useful for founders who split time between hubs (e.g., Dubai, Mumbai, European cities) and need quick travel to meetings across the zone.
– Lower cost base in Romania and Bulgaria helps long-term budgets for housing, cars, and frequent travel.

Sectors where the draw is strongest:
– IT services, engineering, manufacturing supply chains, and healthcare partnerships — essentially any activity where movement is tied to deal flow.

Compliance and ongoing requirements

• Keep the investment active as required, file renewals on time, and observe stay rules.
• With EES logging entries/exits, accurate travel records will make renewals easier and reduce the risk of discrepancies.
• National ministries will continue to review and may tweak property thresholds, bond figures, and documentation requirements.

Decision checklist for prospective applicants

• What is the exact investment type that fits our goals (property, bonds, or business)?
• How long must we hold the asset, and what are the exit options?
• What are the renewal timelines and stay-day rules?
• What documents will the migration directorate expect at each step?
• How does the residence path align with permanent residence and citizenship timelines?

These questions help structure advisor conversations and guard against later surprises.

Wider policy context and regional outlook

• Schengen began in 1985 and expanded step-by-step. With Romania and Bulgaria joining, the zone counts 29 members in 2025.
• Cyprus and Montenegro are potential future entrants, though timelines are uncertain.
• Schengen membership is both a political signal and a practical change: it bolsters the standing of Romanian and Bulgarian permits with banks, schools, and employers.

For official EU background and policy detail, see the European Commission’s Schengen Area page: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-area_en.

Market outlook and practical examples

• As of August 2025, industry chatter points to a steady pipeline of Indian applicants — long-term planners and frequent travelers alike.
• Example (family): A couple with two school-age children invests in Romania and uses the residence card for weekend trips to Vienna, Prague, or Spain without extra visas.
• Example (business): A Pune-based IT firm uses Bulgaria’s bond route, rents a base in Sofia, and sends managers to client sites across Schengen on short stays without additional paperwork.

Key takeaways and what to watch next

• Romania and Bulgaria are now full Schengen members; their Golden Visa routes offer residency that connects to the wider zone.
• Expect the EU Entry/Exit System rollout in October 2025 to standardize travel records and streamline crossings.
• Watch for program fine-tuning by national ministries in response to demand and EU-level discussions.
• For Indian investors, the immediate choices are clear: bond-led predictability (Bulgaria) versus a mix of property and business routes (Romania). Both now carry the same Schengen travel rights.

Plan carefully, document every step, and match the chosen route to family and business goals to make the most of the new access and the wider European opportunities it unlocks.