BAS: BGN 1.6 billion a year are the benefits of our entry into Schengen by land
Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen by land brings our economy BGN 1.63 billion per year, in five specific areas.
1. Benefits for selected sectors
The biggest economic benefits are for heavy road transport, manufacturers and exporters of goods. It is estimated that the direct benefits to these sectors amount to £845 million per year. This includes the cost savings on customs and border checks, which currently slow down transport flows and increase costs for companies. The foregone benefits for heavy transport are BGN 545 million. Thus, the total direct and potential benefits amount to around BGN 1.39 billion per year.
2. Time saved at borders
Economists at BAS estimate that eliminating land border checks with Romania and Greece will save Bulgarian citizens 242 437 days per year. Eliminating this waiting will lead to a more efficient use of time and improve the quality of life for Bulgarians crossing these border crossings.
3. Benefits for tourism
Citizens of our European neighbors visiting Bulgaria will save 217 998 days. Our tourism could benefit from this by around 71 million BGN.
4. Environmental benefits
The overall environmental effect of the extended land border crossing time results in significant generation of harmful CO2 emissions. It is estimated that 46 162 tonnes of CO2 are emitted annually due to the border crossing between Bulgaria and Romania. Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen will lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
5. Benefits for the public purse
There are also direct benefits to the public purse from our entry into Schengen by land. These are estimated at BGN 138 million.
The European Economic and Social Committee calls on the Council of Europe to set a date for the abolition of land border controls between Bulgaria and Romania, as well as between other Schengen Member States, as early as 2024. This proposal will be put to the vote at the Council meeting on 12 December 2024.
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