Travellers originating from 12 third countries must now secure a Schengen Transit Visa prior to transiting through Romania to reach their non-Schengen final destination.

Following Romania's accession to the Schengen zone on Sunday, March 31, 2024, travellers from various countries worldwide who require a layover or transfer during an international flight in Romania will now require visas to do so.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania has outlined the list of countries whose nationals will now necessitate a transit visa:

- Afghanistan

- Bangladesh

- Democratic Republic of Congo

- Eritrea

- Ethiopia

- Ghana

- Iran

- Iraq

- Nigeria

- Pakistan

- Somalia

- Sri Lanka

Citizens from these 12 countries already require transit visas to transit through the international airports of any Schengen Area member state, as they are included in the collective list of third countries for which member states have jointly established visa requirements.

In addition to these 12 countries, member states also maintain other "personalised lists" of countries whose citizens require transit visas.

While the obligation to obtain a transit visa before passing through Romania en route to their destination country applies to all passport holders of the 12 countries listed above, there are exceptions.

Firstly, travellers already possessing a Schengen short-term visa, as well as those with long-stay visas or residence permits issued by another Member State, are exempt from needing a transit visa for Romania. Their existing documentation grants them the right to transit Romania and other Schengen states.

Secondly, exempt from the transit visa requirement for Romania are third-country nationals holding a valid residence permit issued by Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino, or the United States of America, as well as those with a valid residence permit for one or more overseas countries and territories of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Lastly, flight crew members who are nationals of a Contracting Party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation can transit Romania without a designated visa.