Recent reports on border crossing activities reveal significant movement through various points of entry, particularly highlighting the Republic of Moldova and Romania. Over the past 24 hours, 54,286 individuals crossed the border, with 28,843 entering Moldova alone. The busiest crossings were noted with Romania, accounting for 25,928 transitions, followed by the Moldova-Ukraine border with 16,505 crossings and 11,853 at the air border.
Among these figures, Ukrainian citizens represented a notable portion, with 13,442 entries recorded, including 6,462 minors. Yet, the enforcement of border policies remained strict, as 43 foreign nationals were denied entry to Moldova within the same time frame.
During December 15, 2024, Romanian border police processed over 222,100 individuals crossing both ways—both Romanian citizens and foreigners. Out of these, approximately 136,519 were entries through various transport modes, including land, air, and maritime points, with 40,249 vehicles entering Romania. Notably, the influx of Ukrainian nationals continued, with 10,784,287 citizens having crossed the border from Ukraine to Romania since February 2022.
To facilitate international travel, authorities have launched the "Trafic on-line" app, which provides real-time wait times at border points. Starting March 31, 2024, border police at airports and maritime ports ceased routine checks for travelers heading to the Schengen area but are still conducting necessary police actions to verify identities and legal status, successfully carrying out over 5,200 checks via the eDAC application.
Given the legal breaches, Romanian border police encountered 111 unlawful actions within their jurisdiction over 24 hours, leading to fines totaling 81,980 lei and the confiscation of goods worth approximately 256,400 lei, aimed at protecting consumers from illegal products.
It is also important to note construction works on the Bulgarian side of the Friendship Bridge, which connects Ruse and Giurgiu. These repairs are set to last 10-12 hours daily, resulting in alternating traffic flow, which could potentially increase waiting times. Therefore, travelers are encouraged to utilize the "Trafic On-line" app for updates on current wait times and to explore alternative crossing points available at the Romanian-Bulgarian border.
To improve the situation, the Giurgiu Territorial Inspectorate for Border Police has implemented measures to increase control lanes and personnel during peak times. Collaborative plans are also being enacted with public institutions to maintain communication with neighboring country border authorities.
Through continued initiatives, the Romanian Border Police remain committed to maintaining orderly traffic and providing assistance to citizens. Their dedication is evident as they implement daily measures to tackle unlawful activities at the border.