The Bulgarian association AEBTRI has officially informed the Austrian transport association AISOE that from the beginning of 2024, the Bulgarian customs authority, together with other relevant authorities, will carry out increased controls on transport to and from Austria at all customs and border crossings as well as on the road network in the country.
This is the Bulgarian response to Austria’s tightening of border controls in connection with Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the Schengen area.
The result is long queues of vehicles at the border. All vehicles are subject to checks, regardless of the country of registration, AISOE reports.
AEBTRI and representatives of Bulgarian road hauliers met with representatives of the Bulgarian Ministry of Finance and asked for a relaxation of controls. However, the authorities insist on intensified activities, which will continue until Bulgaria is fully integrated into the Schengen area. This measure will then only apply to the EU’s external borders.
AEBTRI has already announced that it will make further attempts to ease the situation at Bulgaria’s borders.
Photo credits @ Flickr/ Jamie Jover – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED