European Union member states have decided to remove checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2025. This important step completes the full entry of both countries into the Schengen area.
Since last December, both Member States have taken all necessary measures to ensure a smooth application of the Schengen rules as of 31 March 2024. Thus, the controls at the internal air and sea borders were lifted, and the Schengen rules started to apply, including issuing Schengen visas.
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. This is important for all of us, European citizens and businesses | Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
President Klaus Iohannis stated that this decision ”reinforces Romania’s strategic position as a gateway between Eastern and Western Europe. It means faster movement, the time spent at the border will be considerably reduced, and it increases Romania’s attractiveness for foreign investors“.
It is a historic moment to finally welcome Bulgaria and Romania as full Schengen members. This step will benefit not only Bulgarian and Romanian citizens, but also the EU as a whole | Sándor Pintér, Hungarian Minister for Home Affairs
Schengen is the largest free travel area in the world. Border checks between France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg were first dropped in 1985. The Schengen area now covers 29 countries (25 of the 27 member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).
