Bulgaria and Romania become full members of the Schengen area from 2025

The EU Council approves the removal of land border controls for Bulgaria and Romania, sanctioning the full entry of the two countries into the area of free movement. An important result for a united Europe

As of 1 January 2025, checks on persons at the land borders of Bulgaria and Romania with the Schengen area will be lifted. The decision was taken by the Council of the European Union, marking the full entry of Sofia and Bucharest into the area of free movement. This result represents an important step for European integration, after Austria withdrew its veto, removing the last obstacle to full access for the two countries.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed great satisfaction, saying that Bulgaria and Romania are now part of the area ‘where they belong’. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, also praised the accession, calling it ‘deserved’ and congratulating the citizens of the two countries for their hard work.

The Hungarian Council Presidency called this achievement a ‘great victory’ not only for Bulgaria and Romania, but for the whole of Europe, reinforcing the idea of a more secure and united continent.

Air and sea border controls for Romania and Bulgaria had already been lifted in March 2024. The Schengen area, currently consisting of 25 EU countries and 4 EFTA countries, thus expands further, now fully including the two Balkan countries.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)