Romania and Bulgaria Mark Full Schengen Membership Starting Today
Key Highlights:
- Romania and Bulgaria have officially joined the Schengen Zone as full members.
- The decision follows the approval by EU ministers on December 12, 2024.
- This marks the end of a decade-long wait for both countries to secure full Schengen membership.
As of January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria have become full members of the Schengen Zone, expanding the EU's borderless area to include 29 countries.
This milestone concludes a process that took over a decade, with the final decision made during the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on December 12, 2024.
Enhanced Border Integration:
EU member states have officially removed internal land border checks with and between Romania and Bulgaria as of this date. Previously, the two nations were integrated into the Schengen Zone for air and sea travel on March 31, 2024.
Austria Lifts Its Veto on Land Borders:
Despite meeting Schengen’s technical requirements since 2012, Romania and Bulgaria faced opposition, primarily from Austria, over concerns about irregular migration. Austria’s veto was finally lifted in December 2024, allowing full Schengen accession.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner commented on the decision:
“After ‘Schengen Air,’ ‘Schengen Land’ is now open to Romania and Bulgaria.”
Agreement on Conditional Border Controls:
As part of the Budapest agreement, land border controls between Hungary and Romania, as well as Romania and Bulgaria, will be temporarily maintained for at least six months to address potential public order and security risks.
This landmark achievement underscores the EU's commitment to expanding its borderless area while addressing migration and security challenges collaboratively.