Bulgaria and Romania will officially become full members of the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025. This historic decision underscores the European Union’s commitment to unity and cooperation.
The journey toward full Schengen membership for Bulgaria and Romania began when they joined the EU in 2007. However, their path to integration faced numerous delays, primarily due to concerns over border security and irregular migration. Despite lifting air and sea border controls in March 2024, land border restrictions remained a significant hurdle.
About the Schengen Area
27 European countries currently make up the Schengen free movement area, which started in 1985. Within the Schengen zone, member countries allow people to move freely between countries without a passport or visa.
Although most EU countries are part of the Schengen Area, Ireland and Cyprus are not. On the other hand, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are part of the Schengen Area but are non-EU countries. It is the world’s largest travel-free zone. 400 million people are estimated to move freely within the Schengen Area.
Bulgaria and Romania accession
The breakthrough came in December 2024, when EU interior ministers voted unanimously to remove land border controls for both countries. Austria, previously one of the main opponents since 2022, lifted its veto, paving the way for this momentous decision.
This is partly due to a pact signifying Bulgaria’s deployment of additional border guards along its shared border with Turkey. Austria had noted instances of irregular migration across Romania and Bulgaria’s borders, while the Netherlands also noted the same for Bulgaria. In 2023, Vienna and Amsterdam changed their position on the matter, agreeing to partial accession for Bulgaria and Romania.
Hungarian Minister of Home Affairs Sandor Pinter called it a “historic moment,” emphasizing the importance of free movement within the bloc.
“Lifting checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between those member states has been a top priority for the Hungarian presidency, and today we have made it a reality,” he added.
“This step will benefit not only Bulgarian and Romanian citizens, but also the EU as a whole.”
Benefits and broader implications
The full Schengen membership will profoundly impact Bulgaria and Romania. Citizens of both countries will experience seamless travel across Schengen nations, marking a new era of freedom of movement. Economically, the removal of land border checks is expected to boost trade and tourism. Businesses in both nations will benefit from faster logistics, reduced costs, and enhanced competitiveness.
However, with new opportunities come responsibilities. Bulgaria and Romania will need to manage the EU’s external borders effectively to maintain Schengen standards. Both nations have pledged to strengthen border infrastructure, enhance security protocols, and cooperate closely with EU agencies.
For the Schengen Area, the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania expands the zone to 29 countries, reinforcing the EU’s principle of free movement. This enlargement comes at a critical time when Europe faces mounting challenges from migration pressures and geopolitical tensions. By integrating these two countries, the EU aims to bolster regional cooperation and demonstrate its resilience.
Photo by Krisztian Matyas on Unsplash
