Romania and Bulgaria to Fully Join Schengen Zone in January 2025

The decision ends years of political disputes and opens land borders for visa-free travel across Europe’s largest free movement area.

EU justice and interior ministers unanimously approved the full Schengen membership of Romania and Bulgaria, effective January 1, 2025.
Austria dropped its longstanding veto after a significant reduction in irregular migration through the Balkan route, citing improved border management by both countries.
The full membership will eliminate land border checks, complementing the air and sea border controls already lifted earlier this year.
The move is expected to boost economic activity in Romania and Bulgaria, reducing border delays that previously cost billions annually in trade and tourism.
Human rights groups have raised concerns over the treatment of migrants at Bulgarian borders, as the countries implement stricter measures to meet EU security criteria.