EU Approves Romania and Bulgaria's Accession to Schengen Zone by January 2025

European Union ministers officially approved the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Zone, set to take effect on January 1, 2025. "EU member states have decided to remove checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2025," announced the Council of the European Union.

Hungary, holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union, has consistently prioritized the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria, describing the decision as a significant victory for both countries and for Europe as a whole. Hungarian Minister for Home Affairs, Sándor Pintér, called the moment historic, stating, "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. This step will benefit not only Bulgarian and Romanian citizens but also the EU as a whole."

Romania and Bulgaria previously entered the Schengen Zone for air and sea travel on March 31, 2024, but their land border access remained pending. European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, indicated that a vote on full Schengen accession for both countries could be anticipated at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting held on December 12. Johansson expressed confidence that both nations would gain land border entry by January 2025.

The path to Schengen accession for Romania and Bulgaria faced obstacles, particularly from Austria, which cited concerns over irregular migration, as well as from the Netherlands in Bulgaria's case. However, since 2012, both countries have fulfilled all technical requirements for Schengen membership. Last year, Austria and the Netherlands shifted their positions, with Austria supporting partial Schengen access for both countries.

During a meeting on November 22 involving the interior ministers of Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary, positive outcomes were achieved, raising hopes for the finalization of land border accession. This week, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner confirmed that the country’s long-standing veto against Schengen accession for Bucharest and Sofia had been lifted. Karner remarked, “After ‘Schengen Air,’ ‘Schengen Land’ is now open to Romania and Bulgaria,” as reported by Mediafax.

Similarly, the Netherlands has expressed support for the swift finalization of Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen accession. As noted in a recent report by Asylum and Migration Minister Marjolein Faber, the Cabinet has moved forward without considering attempts from her own party, the Party for Freedom (PVV), to block the accession. Minister Faber acknowledged her discomfort with Bulgaria and Romania joining the Schengen Area but accepted the Cabinet’s decision.

By fLEXI tEAM