Overview
- Romania and Bulgaria have reached an agreement with Austria to join the European Union's passport-free Schengen zone for air and sea travel starting in March 2024.
- The agreement was reached on December 23 and confirmed by Romania's interior ministry.
- Austria had previously blocked Romania and Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen zone due to concerns over illegal immigration.
- The opening of land borders will be discussed in the coming year, with Romania's Prime Minister expressing optimism about these negotiations.
- The Schengen area, established in 1985, currently comprises 23 of the 27 EU member countries, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.