Romania and Bulgaria have officially become full members of the Schengen zone, expanding the borderless area to 29 countries.
This milestone, achieved after a 13-year wait, was marked by ceremonies at various border posts at midnight, following the lifting of objections by Austria and other member states.
The move ends years of delays for the two eastern European nations, which have been members of the European Union since 2007.
The expansion was made possible after Austria dropped its veto in December. The breakthrough followed a tripartite agreement on a “border protection package,” which addressed security concerns that had been a significant barrier to Romania and Bulgaria’s inclusion.
These agreements paved the way for the two former communist countries, among the EU’s poorest, to fully integrate into the Schengen zone.
Romania and Bulgaria were partially incorporated into Schengen earlier in March, which removed border checks at ports and airports. The move is expected to enhance trade, travel, and regional connectivity within Europe.
The Schengen zone, established in 1985, now includes 25 of the EU’s 27 member states, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Together, the zone covers a population of over 400 million people and allows for the free movement of goods, services, and people without internal border checks.
Notably, Ireland and Cyprus remain outside the Schengen area.