Romania and Bulgaria Fully Join Schengen Zone After 13-Year Wait

The two EU nations eliminate land border controls, marking a historic moment for free travel and economic integration in Europe.

Romania and Bulgaria have become full members of the Schengen area, removing land border checks with other Schengen countries as of January 1, 2025.
This milestone follows partial inclusion in March 2024, when air and sea border controls were lifted, and Austria's December decision to drop its veto on their full membership.
The Schengen zone now includes 25 EU countries and four non-EU members, enabling free movement for over 400 million people across the region.
The move is expected to boost economic growth in Romania and Bulgaria, with analysts predicting a GDP increase of at least 1% for both nations.
Temporary border controls and enhanced security measures at the Bulgarian-Turkish border have been introduced to address migration concerns.