Hungary to join Schengen zone in January 2008

28 March 2007

Hungary will be able to join the Schengen zone on 1 January 2008, State Secretary at the Foreign Ministry Marta Fekszi said on 27 March 2007. Air traffic will be put under the new regime at the start of the summer, she said. Border control will cease completely within Schengen borders, which means less waiting time for Hungarians at certain check-in points, but longer waits at border crossings neighboring non- Schengen states. Croatians will continue to travel visa-free to Hungary, but those arriving from Serbia or Ukraine will need a visa, at an expected cost of 35 euros plus mandatory insurance of up to 2 euros per day, Fekszi added.