Europe Expands Schengen Zone as Romania and Bulgaria Gain Free-Travel Status.
In a significant move for European integration, the European Union has announced that Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of the Schengen free-travel area starting from January 1st. This expansion brings the total number of countries in the Schengen zone to 29.
The decision comes after Austria dropped its longstanding veto on Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen membership, which had been predicated on concerns over the two countries’ efforts to curb illegal immigration.
However, this week, Austria acknowledged that its demands on Bulgaria and Romania had led to a reduction in the number of migrants intercepted near the Hungarian border – a common transit route for those seeking to reach northern Europe from Africa and the Middle East.
“This step will benefit not only Bulgarian and Romanian citizens, but also the EU as a whole,” said Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter, hailing the development.
The Schengen agreement guarantees the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within the participating European countries.
While several Schengen members, including Germany and the Netherlands, have recently tightened border controls to address concerns over illegal immigration, the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria is expected to further enhance mobility and economic opportunities across the continent.
“The advantages of joining the free-travel area are multiple and directly impact citizens, the economy, and our country’s image abroad,” said Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who noted that the move would significantly reduce time spent at borders and lower logistics costs for businesses, making Romania more attractive to foreign investors.
The partial accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen zone in March was an interim step, with the new development marking their full integration into the border-free travel area.
The elimination of land border checks with these two countries is seen as a significant milestone in the European project, underscoring the bloc’s continued efforts to foster deeper integration and cooperation among its member states.
