Romania and Bulgaria will become full-time members of the Schengen Area as of 1 January 2025, completing a process that dates back to 2011, when the European Commission declared both countries ready to join. Back then, many countries, including Germany and France, opposed the joint candidacy. Over time, the political opposition has gradually decreased. The momentous decision was made possible after Austria, the most ardent opponent, lifted its firmly held veto last month during a meeting in Budapest. This follows the earlier lifting of air and sea border controls earlier this year.
The decision means that, as from 1 January 2025, citizens can travel without land border controls to and between Bulgaria and Romania.
However, the agreement reached in Budapest includes a provision for temporary land border checks between Hungary and Romania and between Romania and Bulgaria for a minimum of six months to "prevent any serious threat to public policy and internal security". The wording of "at least" implies they could be extended further down the line.
The concession was meant to meet Vienna's persistent concerns about irregular migration, which the country repeatedly invoked to block the membership of the respective countries. As a result, while the decision is a significant step forward, the complete removal of land border controls remains partially unrealized, with travelers still facing potential queues and delays.
The growing reliance on border checks to manage migration flows has become a trend across the EU, with countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands also implementing the measure in recent months, despite debates over its effectiveness.
The Schengen Area, one of the most tangible achievements of European integration, currently encompasses 29 countries and almost 450 million people and remains the most visited destination in the world. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, shared: “Today is a day of joy for all Bulgarians, Romanians and our entire Union. Both Member States will fully join the world’s largest free movement area. This is important for all of us, European citizens and businesses. Together we will reap the benefits of a stronger and more connected Union”.
