By Staff Reporter
As of 1 January 2025, Bulgaria and Romania are now full members of the Schengen Area, marking a significant milestone in their integration into the European Union. This development follows the removal of internal land border checks between the two countries and other Schengen members. Internal air and sea border controls had already been lifted on 31 March 2024.
Joining the Schengen Area is expected to bolster travel, trade, and tourism, contributing to a stronger internal market and enhanced connectivity within the European Union.
Background
The European Commission confirmed Bulgaria and Romania’s readiness to join the Schengen Area as early as 2011. Over the years, both nations have demonstrated their commitment to fulfilling the necessary conditions for Schengen membership.
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area represents the world’s largest zone of freedom, security, and justice without internal borders. It enables seamless movement for over 450 million EU citizens, as well as non-EU nationals legally residing or visiting the EU for tourism, business, or study purposes.
The Schengen Agreement was initially signed on 14 June 1985 aboard the Princesse Marie-Astrid, a riverboat on the Moselle River, by Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The European Union later incorporated the Schengen rules in 1997, laying the groundwork for a unified space of freedom, security, and justice.
Significance of the Schengen Area
The Schengen Area stands as a testament to unparalleled integration and mutual trust among neighboring nations. It allows for the elimination of border checks, ensuring free movement while fostering cooperation in security, migration, and border management. Today, 26 of the EU’s 27 member states, along with Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, participate in the Schengen framework.
The area’s benefits extend beyond borderless travel, encompassing coordinated security efforts, harmonized migration policies, and advanced technology like the Schengen Information System (SIS), which safeguards borders and fundamental rights while ensuring data protection.
Bulgaria and Romania’s inclusion in the Schengen Area highlights the enduring commitment of the European Union to foster unity, security, and economic prosperity within its borders.
News Source: EU Reporter
