Category: Bulgaria

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

EU Adapts Regulations for Acquiring Long-Term Resident Status

EU Adapts  Regulations for Acquiring Long-Term Resident Status

The European Union has recently amended its guidelines within the EU Long-Term Residents Directive, outlining the prerequisites for third-country nationals to obtain long-term resident status within member states. The proposed amendments include a more flexible approach to residency requirements, targeted integration measures, and enhanced intra-EU mobility. These changes are expected to benefit millions of third-country…
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EU Enlargement: Will The EU Welcome New Members?

The European Union’s Commission recently greenlit the 2023 Enlargement Package, offering a comprehensive evaluation of the advancements made by Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ukraine. Recommendations have been put forth for each country’s progression towards EU membership. The Commission has recommended granting Georgia the status of a candidate country, marking a significant step in its…
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Temporary Border Controls in the Schengen Zone

The Schengen Agreement is predicated on the fundamental principle of allowing the freedom of movement for its citizens within the Schengen Zone meaning no controls at the group’s internal borders. However, there are clauses in the treaty that provide for the temporary reinstatement of border controls, primarily when there is a threat to public order…
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Austria and the Netherlands Still Against Bulgaria and Romania’s Schengen Membership

Bulgaria and Romania are intensifying their diplomatic efforts to secure entry into the European Union’s Schengen Area by year-end. However, Austrian and Dutch misgivings are likely to continue delaying their entry, as well as the economic benefits that come with it. Austria and the Netherlands currently stand in the way of Bulgaria’s Schengen accession, citing…
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UK Launches Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) System for Qatari Travellers

The UK government has committed to completing the digitisation of its borders by 2025. The UK has launched the ETA system, an electronic travel authorisation system meant to ease the admission process for visa-free travellers from diverse countries. The implementation of this system will take place in stages, with different nationalities targeted. The system is…
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