Romania and Bulgaria Officially Join the Schengen Zone as Full Members

As January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria have officially achieved full membership in the Schengen Zone, expanding the European Union’s borderless area to 29 member states.

This milestone marks the end of a prolonged wait of over a decade for the two Balkan nations.

The final step in their accession was confirmed following the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on December 12, 2024, where ministers gave the green light for full Schengen membership starting in 2025. The Council of the European Union stated:“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.”

Gradual Inclusion into Schengen

Romania and Bulgaria’s journey to full membership began with their partial inclusion in the Schengen Zone by air and sea on March 31, 2024. However, the removal of land border controls remained a pending issue until today.

Austria Lifts Veto, Clearing the Path

Despite meeting the technical requirements for Schengen membership as early as 2012, both Romania and Bulgaria faced repeated opposition from Austria due to concerns over irregular migration. Austria’s veto initially blocked full membership, even after the countries gained partial Schengen access in March 2024.

The turning point came in December 2024 when Austria lifted its veto regarding land borders. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner confirmed the decision, stating:“After ‘Schengen Air,’ ‘Schengen Land’ is now open to Romania and Bulgaria.”

The breakthrough followed a meeting hosted by Hungary on November 22, 2024, where interior ministers from Austria, Romania, and Bulgaria discussed the remaining hurdles. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu expressed optimism shortly after the meeting, remarking:“Considering all these concrete aspects, I am confident that after 13 years, Romania will achieve full Schengen accession by the end of the year.”

Conditional Membership

While the two countries now enjoy full membership in the Schengen Zone, the agreement comes with conditions. Under the Budapest accord, land border controls between Hungary and Romania, as well as between Romania and Bulgaria, will remain in place for at least six months to address potential threats to public order and security.

Today’s achievement signifies a historic moment for Romania and Bulgaria, reflecting their commitment to meeting Schengen standards and the collective efforts of EU member states to strengthen European unity. 

By fLEXI tEAM