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Bulgaria and Romania finally in Schengen

by AI | 03.Jan 2025 | Europe in brief AI

After many long years, Bulgaria and Romania are finally admitted to the Schengen area without internal border controls.

Bulgaria welcomes entry into Schengen. Photo: Vladimir Shokov/BTA

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BUCHAREST – After 13 years in the Schengen waiting room, Bulgaria and Romania are fully in the free movement area from Wednesday, and 25 million residents of the two countries have now joined nearly 450 million EU citizens who already have freedom of movement within the Schengen zone.

In March 2024, controls at airports and sea ports were lifted, and in mid-December, Bulgaria and Romania received assent from their European partners to lift controls at land border crossings as well.

Entry into the Schengen area was marked at border crossings at midnight.

For Bulgarians and Romanians, this means they will now be able to drive to France, Spain, or Norway without a passport. Drivers and passengers no longer have to show any personal documents, and cars will pass without control.

The two countries have met the criteria since 2011, but member states have had objections each time.

This problem has over the years become a source of frustration exploited by anti-European parties criticizing unfair treatment, as seen in the recent Romanian presidential elections where the far-right candidate unexpectedly won, only for the election to be ultimately nullified. (January 1, 2025)

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