Hungary’s National Card scheme simplifies visa procedures and security screenings for “guest workers” coming from Russia and Belarus.
The European Commission has asked Hungary to explain its recent decision to ease visa requirements for Russian and Belarusian citizens, which Brussels worries “could lead to a de facto circumvention” of the bloc’s restrictions and undermine safety standards across the passport-free Schengen Area.
“Russia is a security threat. We need more, not less vigilance. Giving potential Russian spies and saboteurs easy EU access would undermine the security of us all,” said Ylva Johansson, the Europen Commissioner for Home Affairs.
“If their easy access scheme is a risk, we will act.”
And the EU!
would be good, but it would remove Romania, Bulgaria and Greece from Schengen by land route…not sure of the impact it would have.
Schengen land border is currently at Hungary anyways, removing Hungary would not change the current status for those countries.
Yes, but say you’re driving a truck from Bucharest to Berlin…can you just transit if Hungary is just kicked out? Or will you need extra inspections and delays?
Yeah, EU regulations for goods transported by land would be a bit trickier. Sea cargo wouldn’t be affected, though.
Hungary leaving would probably make it easier for Ukraine to join anyways, which would solve the land route issue.
Yes, there is a system for that. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIR_Convention