Bulgaria and Romania Celebrate Historic Milestone as They Join Schengen Area

Doha – The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated over the weekend the entrance of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area.

In a press release commenting on the significant development, marking a more united Europe, the president declared it a “great success.” She added; “this is a historic moment for the Schengen area – the largest area of free movement in the world. Together, we are building a stronger, more united Europe for all our citizens.”

This historic achievement marks the end of a 13-year wait for the two countries, which joined the European Union in 2007.

The Bulgarian and Romanian governments have expressed their optimism and celebration regarding their countries’ accession to the Schengen Area. According to Reuters, Bulgaria’s outgoing Interior Minister, Kalin Stoyanov, shared with journalists his confidence that Bulgaria will become a full member of the Schengen zone by the end of 2024.

This would mean the removal of border checkpoints for individuals and goods traveling by both road and rail, further facilitating seamless movement within the Schengen Area.

In a similar vein, the Romanian Prime Minister has also indicated that Romania expects to conclude negotiations on land borders within the year, marking another significant step towards complete Schengen integration.

The Schengen Area, which was created in 1995 following the signing of the Schengen Agreement a decade earlier, now comprises 29 members, including 25 of the 27 EU member states, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The area allows for the free movement of 400 million citizens without the need for internal border controls.

However, Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the Schengen zone is not without its limitations. Due to a veto by Austria, the new membership will not apply to land routes for the time being. Vienna has expressed concerns about a potential influx of asylum seekers traveling into Europe via these countries. The European Council has stated that a new decision will need to be taken to set a date for the lifting of controls at land borders.

Despite this setback, the Bulgarian and Romanian governments have taken all necessary measures to ensure a smooth transition into the Schengen system. Romania’s government announced that Schengen rules would apply to four seaports and 17 airports, including Bucharest’s largest, Otopeni airport. Increased border police and immigration officers will be deployed to support passengers, and random checks will be carried out to detect individuals with false documents.

The European Commission has also launched Cooperation Frameworks with Bulgaria and Romania to build on the successful implementation of pilot projects for fast asylum and return procedures. These frameworks aim to strengthen cooperation on border and migration issues, as well as contribute to joint European efforts in addressing security at external borders and migratory challenges.

Furthermore, a regional initiative on police cooperation has been established between Member States along the Western Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean routes, including Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, Greece, Hungary, and Slovakia. This initiative seeks to address related challenges, such as cross-border crime, in a sustainable and collaborative manner.

The admission of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Area is expected to make the common area more attractive by significantly expanding the world’s largest area without internal border controls. The move will facilitate easier travel for citizens of the two countries, as well as for visitors from other Schengen member states.

Travelers arriving in Bulgaria and Romania by air or sea from other Schengen countries will no longer need to show their passports upon arrival, making the process more streamlined and convenient. However, those driving or arriving by train or bus will still need to carry identification, as rules governing land borders have not yet been established.

Non-EU citizens should keep in mind that stays in Bulgaria and Romania will count towards the 90-day limit within a 180-day period that applies to the entire Schengen Area.

As Bulgaria and Romania celebrate this historic milestone, the European Commission has pledged to provide all necessary support to the Presidency of the Council to ensure that a decision on land borders can be taken in 2024.

The inclusion of these two countries in the Schengen Area marks a significant step towards a more integrated and united Europe, facilitating the free movement of people and contributing to the region’s economic growth and prosperity.

This admission comes just over a year after Croatia became the 27th member of the Schengen zone in January 2023, despite having joined the EU later than Bulgaria and Romania.