Romanian citizens are crossing the Danube Bridge en masse to buy cheaper cigarettes and other goods in Ruse, after border controls were abolished with Bulgaria's entry into Schengen. According to data from the Ruse Regional Administration, traffic through the Danube Bridge has increased by over 20 percent compared to the period before Schengen, wrote Telegraph.bg.
„Until a year and a half ago, I was working on a cruise ship on the Danube and we stopped in Braila. I was impressed that even then cigarettes in Romania were much more expensive than in Bulgaria. A pack cost 2.50 leva more, and for certain brands - and over 3 leva. There is also inflation in Romania and I assume that they have become even more expensive, because I notice that Romanian citizens buy much more cigarettes here than before", shares Ivaylo Donev, who works in a large 24-hour tobacco and alcohol store in Ruse.
In Ruse tobacco stores, the most customers from our northern neighbor are on weekends and holidays. According to traders, it is not uncommon for a Romanian citizen to buy cigarettes for over 300-500 leva on weekends. The difference in price many times compensates for the costs of fuel to Ruse, a vignette and a bridge toll, which in both directions is 10 leva – 3 euros when entering Bulgaria by car and 2 euros when leaving.
In addition to cigarettes, Romanians also buy alcohol, although in smaller quantities. Some packaged food products are also of interest, which are also at lower prices than those in Romania.
Romanian citizens do not come to Ruse only to shop. Many of them, especially from the Giurgiu region, cross the Danube Bridge to walk around the city, visit the Basarbovski Monastery, where the patron saint of Bucharest lived - Saint Dimitar Basarbovski, and have lunch in Ruse restaurants.
“After we entered Schengen, our customers from Romania increased. I cannot say how much more in percentage terms, but the difference is noticeable. We have customers from both Giurgiu and Bucharest. They come mostly on the weekend - to walk around, to eat. "They order seafood, but they also try our other specialties," explains Nedyalko Stoyanov, manager of a restaurant in Ruse.
Alexandru Vodu and Florian Popescu, who are from Craiova, say that the main reason they travel to Ruse is the lower prices. "A pack of cigarettes in Romania costs 30 lei, while in Bulgaria it is under 20 lei. Alcohol is also a little cheaper," says Alexandru.
A family from Oltenitsa also came to shop in Ruse. The husband Jonuts says that in addition to cigarettes, they will also buy other products, taking advantage of the trip.
Ruse has been establishing itself as an attractive destination for our northern neighbors since 2007, when Bulgaria and Romania became members of the European Union, but after entering Schengen, this process has significantly intensified, which brings additional revenue to local businesses.