Starting from January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria have officially become the newest members of the Schengen Zone, bringing the total number of EU’s borderless area countries to 29.
Ceremonies were held just before midnight on New Year’s Eve, December 31, to mark Bulgaria’s and Romania’s full membership in Europe’s Schengen area.
Romania and Bulgaria join the Schengen Area
The European Union voted on December 12 to lift internal land border controls with Romania and Bulgaria, marking their official entry into the Schengen Area following years of negotiations by the Eastern European countries to join the ID check-free travel zone.
The milestone ended a process that began in 2011 when the European Commission first confirmed the countries’ readiness for accession.
While air and sea border checks were removed earlier this year, land borders will now also benefit from free movement, except for occasional document checks to prevent crime.
The Schengen Area, a cornerstone of European integration, will now encompass 31 countries and nearly 450 million people.
Border-free movement
With this expansion, long queues at 30 land borders between Romania and Bulgaria will become history, streamlining travel and trade.
Romanian and Bulgarian citizens will benefit from increased mobility, while businesses stand to gain from smoother cross-border trade. Travelers by car anticipate saving hours previously spent at border controls.
The move is expected to boost economic growth and reinforce cross-border cooperation, enhancing the European Union’s connectivity.
Overcoming past challenges
The road to Schengen was not without hurdles. In 2023, Austria blocked the accession over concerns about irregular migration, while Bulgaria faced additional opposition from the Netherlands. Nevertheless, both countries persevered, with Romania initiating negotiations as early as 2011.
Cross-border traffic will operate under a “risk analysis” system, with minimal checks. For instance, vehicles will pay a bridge toll in Bulgaria, cross into Romania, and undergo only limited inspections.
EU leaders celebrate the decision
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis earlier called Romania’s full membership in the Schengen area a “natural and necessary step” that will significantly reduce wait times at borders, lower logistical costs for businesses and attract foreign investors.
Klaus Iohannis highlighted reduced border wait times and decreased logistics costs as major advantages for businesses.
Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér hailed the decision as a “historic moment.”
“Together, we will enjoy the advantages of a stronger and more connected Union,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated.
The expansion signified progress toward a seamless Schengen Area but also underscored the need for adaptability to sustain integration in a dynamic world.