Official: Romania and Bulgaria become full Schengen members as of January 1, 2025
Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full Schengen members as of January 1, 2025, after European Union member states decided to remove checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between the two countries, the Council of…
Irina Marica · Journalist
· Updated · 3 min read
Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full Schengen members as of January 1, 2025, after European Union member states decided to remove checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between the two countries, the Council of the EU announced on December 12.
The recent decision follows an earlier Council resolution from December 2023 to remove checks at internal air and sea borders by March 31, 2024.
"It is a historic moment to finally welcome Bulgaria and Romania as full Schengen members. 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," said Sándor Pintér, Hungarian minister for home affairs, as quoted in the press release.
The Schengen area now covers 29 countries (25 of the 27 member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) and 420 million people.
European Parliament president Roberta Metsola also reacted on social media, saying, "It's done. It's decided. It's deserved. Romania & Bulgaria will fully join Schengen on January 1, 2025. Congratulations to the people of both countries who have worked hard and long for this. A stronger Schengen signifies a safer & more united Europe."
It’s done. It’s decided. It’s deserved. Romania & Bulgaria will fully join Schengen on 1 January 2025. Congratulations to the people of both countries who have worked hard and long for this. A stronger Schengen signifies a safer & more united Europe.#StrongerTogether 🇪🇺🇷🇴🇧🇬 pic.twitter.com/lcgMFCWK69 — Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) December 12, 2024
Romanian president Klaus Iohannis also reacted to the news: "This morning, in Brussels, a decision was made regarding our country's accession, including land borders, to the Schengen Area, effective from January 1, 2025 - a decision that has been long awaited by all of us."
According to the Romanian leader, the advantages of being a full member in the common free movement area "are numerous and have a direct impact on citizens, the economy, and Romania's external image."
