Bulgaria and Romania To Fully Join Schengen In 2025

The European Union has officially approved Bulgaria and Romania as full members of the borderless Schengen Area, effective January 1, 2025.

This historic decision removes land border controls for the two nations, marking the completion of their Schengen integration after partial admission earlier this year.

Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér, representing the EU’s rotating presidency, described the move as a “historic moment” during the 12 December announcement.

With land, air, and sea border restrictions now lifted, travellers can enjoy greater ease of movement across the Schengen zone, which encompasses 29 countries and over 400 million people.

Next stop: full Schengen accession.

We welcome the decision of the @EUCouncil giving green light to Romania and Bulgaria to fully join the Schengen family.
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) December 12, 2024

A 13-Year Journey to Full Membership

Romania and Bulgaria’s accession follows years of negotiations, including overcoming Austria’s long-standing veto over concerns about undocumented immigration. The breakthrough came after both countries signed a “border protection package” in Budapest, agreeing to deploy border guards to the Bulgarian-Turkish border and implement temporary controls on land routes.

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner noted the agreement's impact on reducing undocumented immigration, reporting a significant drop in migrant interceptions along Austria’s border.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis called the move a “natural and necessary step,” highlighting its benefits for reducing border wait times, cutting logistical costs for businesses, and boosting foreign investment. Schengen membership simplifies travel planning for tourists and business travellers alike, as one Schengen visa now grants access to all member states, including Romania and Bulgaria.

The Expanding Schengen Zone

With the addition of Romania and Bulgaria, 25 of the 27 EU nations are now full Schengen members. Ireland and Cyprus remain outside the agreement, while non-EU countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are part of the zone.

The Schengen Area, established in 1985, is the world’s largest free-travel zone, enabling seamless movement across member states without internal border checks.

This latest expansion underscores the EU’s commitment to fostering connectivity, economic growth, and mutual cooperation within the bloc.

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