On November 27, 2024, the ambassadors of the European Union member states agreed on the full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area, a goal these countries have been striving for since 2010.
EU ambassadors have completed the preparation of a decision by the EU Council to lift internal border controls at land borders with Bulgaria and Romania starting from January 1, 2025. The official adoption of this decision is expected to take place on December 12, 2024, during a meeting of the EU Council.
Bulgaria and Romania met all the technical requirements for joining the Schengen Area back in 2010, but faced opposition from Austria and the Netherlands, who expressed concerns about the effectiveness of measures to combat illegal immigration.
By the end of 2023, a consensus was reached in the EU regarding the “partial” accession of both countries to Schengen, which includes lifting border checks at airports and seaports. This decision will come into effect on March 30, 2024.
Austria lifted its final objections to Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to Schengen after the signing of a package of measures aimed at strengthening the fight against illegal immigration last week.
