Bucharest – Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Area After 13-Year Wait
After spending 13 years seeking entry, Bulgaria and Romania officially became part of the Schengen Area on Wednesday. This move grants 25 million residents of both countries the same freedom of movement enjoyed by nearly 450 million European Union citizens within the Schengen zone.
In March 2024, border controls at airports and seaports were lifted, followed by the approval from fellow EU nations in mid-December to remove checks at land borders as well. The formal inclusion into the Schengen Area was celebrated at border crossings, occurring at midnight.
This development means that citizens of Bulgaria and Romania can now travel to countries like France, Spain, or Norway without needing a passport. Passengers and drivers can cross borders without showing personal documents, allowing for seamless travel.
Although both countries have met the necessary criteria for membership since 2011, objections from some EU member states delayed their accession. Over the years, this ongoing issue has fueled frustration among the populace, and it has been leveraged by anti-European parties. This dynamic was evident in the recent Romanian presidential elections, where a far-right candidate unexpectedly gained traction, though the election results were eventually annulled (effective January 1, 2025).













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