EU Schengen joy as borders open up for Romania and Bulgaria

Romania and Bulgaria have been given the green light to become full members of Europe's Schengen Area.

The move means that, as of January 1, 2025, people will be able to cross the country's land borders without a passport. It's seen as a major step for the two countries that joined the EU 17 years ago.

"Today is a day of joy for all Bulgarians, Romanians and our entire union. Both member states will fully join the world's largest free movement area," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"This is important for all of us, European citizens and businesses. Together we will reap the benefits of a stronger and more connected union."

The agreement was reached on Thursday and has been heralded by Hungary who currently hold the rotating presidency at the European Council.

"It is a historic moment to finally welcome Bulgaria and Romania as full Schengen members," said Sándor Pintér, Hungarian Minister for Home Affairs.

"Lifting checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between those member states has been a top priority for the Hungarian presidency, and today we have made it a reality. This step will benefit not only Bulgarian and Romanian citizens, but also the EU as a whole."

Political wrangling

Air and sea border checks were lifted for the two nations in March but extending this to their land borders has been subject to months of political wrangling. Austria had previously held up the move voicing concerns over illegal immigration.

Addressing the European Parliament recently, Austria's interior minister Gerhard Karner said: "We can now see the numbers of illegal migration via these countries in particular have fallen massively. This means we are on the right path, but have not yet reached the end of the road."

The deal includes a caveat that land border checks between Romania and Bulgaria and between Romania and Hungary will remain in place for at least six months in an effort to "prevent any serious threat to public policy and internal security."

The issue of irregular migration has become increasingly politicized in the EU with Germany and the Netherlands among member states to recently impose temporary border controls citing security concerns relating to irregular migration.

The Schengen zone was originally established in 1985 and is seen as one of the crowning achievements of EU integration.

Over 425 million people have the ability to pass through the Schengen Area's 29 countries without border checks, making it the largest free travel area in the world, according to the EU.

The European Parliament's President Roberta Metsola said Romania and Bulgaria's full inclusion to Schengen signifies a safer and more united Europe.