Bulgaria and Romania Set to Join Schengen Zone After 13-Year Wait
On December 12, EU states officially approved Bulgaria and Romania to become full members of the Schengen zone, effective January 1, 2025. This decision marks a historic milestone for the two Eastern European countries, which have been striving for full integration into the borderless area since joining the European Union in 2007. Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter, whose country currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "It is a historic moment to finally welcome Bulgaria and Romania."
In March 2023, Bulgaria and Romania were partially integrated into the Schengen zone, allowing air and sea travel without border checks. However, Austria had previously blocked their full entry due to migration concerns, resulting in continued border checks on land routes. The turning point came when Vienna announced that it would not exercise its veto during the EU ministers’ meeting, thereby clearing the path for full membership.
Both nations hailed the decision as a long-awaited achievement. In a joint statement, they described this moment as the culmination of their efforts to join the EU’s free movement area, a significant goal since their EU accession. They noted that they had met all the technical criteria established by Brussels back in 2010 but faced a prolonged delay due to objections from various member states.
Austria's resistance had been primarily driven by concerns over the influx of undocumented migrants, as the country argued it was disproportionately affected by immigration stemming from poorly secured Schengen borders. Progress was finally made when Bulgaria, Romania, and Austria signed a border protection agreement in Budapest. This accord includes the joint deployment of border guards at the Bulgarian-Turkish border and temporary controls on land routes for six months, helping to alleviate Austria's worries.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis praised the decision, saying it recognizes the significant efforts and progress made by both countries. He assured that Romania would continue to responsibly contribute to protecting and strengthening the EU's external borders, emphasizing that joining the Schengen zone would enhance the overall security and unity of the European Union.
The Schengen zone, established in 1985, currently consists of 29 members, including 25 out of the 27 EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. It constitutes the world’s largest area free from internal border controls, allowing over 400 million people to travel freely within its limits.
As Romania and Bulgaria prepare for their new roles in the Schengen zone, the upcoming membership signifies not only a personal victory for the two nations but also a step towards reinforcing the European Union’s commitment to open borders and collaborative security.
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