Bulgaria and Romania will fully join the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, marking the end of internal border controls with and between these countries.
The decision was unanimously adopted by EU member states today, a significant milestone for both nations and the European Union as a whole.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, hailed the move as a triumph, emphasising the strengthened Schengen Area’s role in boosting internal markets, tourism, and unity within the EU.
The decision is also celebrated by Robert Metsola, President of the European Parliament, who stressed that a stronger Schengen means a safer and more united Europe.
The lifting of border checks follows Austria’s lifting of its veto, clearing the path for this historic step.