Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full members of the Schengen Area on 1 January 2025, marking the conclusion of a lengthy accession process that began in 2011, when the European Commission initially declared both nations ready to join.
This historic milestone was reached on Thursday morning, as European Union interior ministers approved their long-pending candidacies. The decision follows Austria’s recent decision to lift its long-standing veto, which had been the principal obstacle to their membership. Austria’s reversal occurred during a pivotal meeting in Budapest last month.
A Milestone for Europe
The Hungarian presidency of the EU Council, which prioritized completing Schengen’s enlargement, described the decision as “a great victory for Bulgaria, Romania, and all of Europe.”
The two Eastern European nations will thus become fully integrated into the Schengen framework, concluding over a decade of political negotiations and opposition. Initial resistance, led by Germany and France, gradually diminished, leaving the Netherlands and Austria as the final barriers to accession.
Although checks at air and sea borders between Romania, Bulgaria, and Schengen member states were lifted earlier this year, Thursday’s agreement solidifies their full participation in Europe’s passport-free travel zone.
EU leaders welcomed the news enthusiastically. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, declared, “Fully in Schengen – where you belong.” Similarly, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, emphasized the broader impact of the decision, stating, “A stronger Schengen signifies a safer and more united Europe.”
Land Border Checks: A Significant Caveat
Despite the celebratory tone, the accession includes a notable condition: the temporary reintroduction of land border checks between Hungary and Romania and between Romania and Bulgaria. These controls are expected to last “at least six months,” with the potential for further extensions.
This provision aims to address Austria’s concerns over irregular migration, a recurring issue invoked to justify its opposition to the joint candidacy. The inclusion of such border checks means that the complete abolition of passport controls across land borders is delayed, which could result in travel queues and minor disruptions for citizens.
A Broader Trend of Border Controls
Austria’s concerns echo a broader trend within the EU, where border checks have increasingly been reinstated as a response to migration and security issues. In recent months, Germany, France, and the Netherlands have all resorted to similar measures, though their effectiveness remains a topic of debate.
Saila Heinikoski, a senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA), explained that such controls often serve a symbolic political purpose. “They act as a tool for politicians to reassure the domestic public that action is being taken,” she said. She also noted that these checks are often random and minimally invasive, though they may still inconvenience travelers.
The Significance of Schengen
The Schengen Area remains one of the EU’s most celebrated achievements, representing a tangible success of European integration. Currently, it encompasses 29 countries and nearly 450 million people, enabling seamless cross-border travel and fostering economic and social connectivity.
While Romania and Bulgaria’s full membership signals a step forward for the Schengen Area, the conditional land border checks illustrate the complex balance between national security concerns and the vision of a unified Europe.
