Romania and Bulgaria have become the latest countries to join the Schengen free movement area, a significant step in European integration. Both countries became members of the European Union (EU) in 2007 and met the requirements to enter the Schengen zone as early as 2010.
Romania and Bulgaria have become the latest countries to join the Schengen free movement area, a significant step in European integration.
Both countries became members of the European Union (EU) in 2007. They met the requirements to enter the Schengen zone as early as 2010. However, their accession was delayed due to concerns over migration.
On December 12, 2024, European Union interior ministers voted to allow Bulgaria and Romania to fully join the Schengen area. This decision will come into effect on January 1, 2025. The move was welcomed by Interior Minister Sandor Pinter of Hungary, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency.
The delay in Romania and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen zone can be attributed to migration concerns raised by various states over the years. Specifically, Austria had been holding out on approval until Thursday’s vote. However, Vienna had signaled ahead of time that it would not veto the decision, partly due to a pact between Bulgaria and the EU regarding border security.
The Schengen free movement area is the largest such zone in the world, created in 1985. It comprises all EU countries except Cyprus and Ireland, as well as non-EU members Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
This development marks a significant step forward for European integration and cooperation among member states.
