Bulgaria stands to benefit significantly from its full membership in the Schengen Area, with the financial dimension of this integration amounting to an additional 300 million Bulgarian levs (approximately €153 million) annually, according to Acting Minister of Tourism, Evtim Milloshev.
On Thursday, Milloshev revealed that a preliminary analysis by the Directorate of Tourism Policies in the Ministry showed that the direct benefits for tourism in the coming years would average around 300 million levs, or €153 million.
“This is the financial dimension of the Schengen Area. The security that comes with being part of this zone is a very important factor for tourism. The best message Bulgaria can send to the world in 2025 is that it is not only a wonderful tourist destination but also a safe one. Our presence in the Schengen Area guarantees this safety,” Milloshev emphasized.
He also noted, “Even the most wonderful country in the world, if it’s not secure, if people don’t feel safe—especially when traveling for tourism and holidays—becomes undesirable.”
Milloshev highlighted that Bulgaria already has access to three seas, offering a great opportunity for Bulgarians to travel freely and for foreigners to visit and enjoy the country’s extraordinary natural beauty, along with its rich cultural and historical heritage.
