Bulgaria Deploys EU-Funded Drones to Monitor Turkish Border in Bid to Join Schengen

SOFIA – May 13, 2025 — Bulgaria has officially launched the deployment of high-tech drones along its border with Turkey, a major step in meeting EU requirements for joining the Schengen Area. The drones, funded by the European Commission, are intended to bolster border surveillance and curb irregular migration.

The move comes as part of a compromise brokered in response to Austria's longstanding opposition to Bulgaria’s Schengen accession. Back in 2022, Vienna had demanded stricter border controls, initially calling for the construction of a physical wall along the Bulgarian-Turkish frontier.

The European Commission intervened, proposing instead to fund an advanced drone surveillance system. This compromise ultimately led to Austria lifting its veto on Bulgaria’s Schengen membership in early 2024.

Although the drone deployment was delayed by nearly two years, it now marks a significant step in the EU’s broader strategy to reinforce security along its external borders.

The initiative highlights both Bulgaria's commitment to meeting EU standards and the European Commission's shift toward tech-driven border management.

Source: Euractiv