Bulgaria and Romania admitted to Schengen area: Border controls lifted
It has been announced that Bulgaria and Romania have joined the Schengen area. With the decision, citizens of the two countries have gained the right to visa-free travel within the Schengen zone.
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Bulgaria and Romania have been included in the European Union's (EU) visa-free travel zone, Schengen. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on the social media platform X that Bulgaria and Romania have joined Schengen and that air and sea border controls have been lifted as of today.
Von der Leyen stated that this will benefit millions of EU citizens across Europe and make the Schengen area stronger.
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson also reported that in the next phase, land border controls will also be lifted, and this will be discussed in negotiations between member states throughout the year.
Romania and Bulgaria became members of the EU in 2007.
Austria had long opposed the inclusion of the two countries in Schengen due to concerns that irregular migration might increase. The agreement was reached at the end of last year.