Does being in Romania or Bulgaria contribute to my 90/180 Schengen Day visa?

Even if I enter via a land border?

Short Answer: Unfortunately, yes.

Background:

As of March 31st 2024, Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen Area.

This now means that anyone whose nation isn’t a member of the Schengen Area (i.e. UK, USA, Russia, Turkey, etc) is required to not stay longer than 90 days in any 180 days, in the Schengen Area. More on this here.

The official information on Bulgaria and Romania’s partial membership of the Schengen Area is INSANELY confusing, and conflicting across many websites making it out that the 90/180 ruling only applies to those who enter Bulgaria or Romania by Air or Sea border.

Unfortunately, the European Commission’s website is very unclear about how the partial membership affects those who enter via a land border:

As well as here:

This information implies that if you cross into BG or RO via a land border (not by Air or Sea) then you will not be hit by the 90/180-day ruling.

However, I can confirm now that the 90-Day / 180 Schengen Rule appears to apply whichever way you enter Bulgaria, or Romania whether by Land, Sea, or Air – in force since March 31st, 2024.

To get a second opinion, I spoke with Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, a leading immigration law firm who confirmed:

“Please note that air and sea border checks were lifted in Bulgaria for travelling within the Schengen Area, but land checks are still in place. Nevertheless, the 90-day rule applies regardless of how you travel to the country (land, air or sea).

In addition, when an overstay is detected sanctions may be triggered at the discretion of the border authorities”.

Another gift from Brexit, and an incredibly difficult-to-understand ruling especially for bikepackers, like myself, transiting Bulgaria for Istanbul.