EU Member States have agreed to welcome Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area, removing all checks on people at internal land borders from next year.
The European Council has decided unanimously to lift internal land border controls with Romania and Bulgaria as of 1 January 2025.
Bulgaria and Romania were already applying parts of the Schengen legal framework (relating to external border controls, police cooperation and the use of the Schengen Information System) since their accession to the EU in 2007.
On 30 December 2023, the Council first agreed that it would apply the remaining Schengen rules to Bulgaria and Romania and abolish checks on persons at internal air and sea borders.
On Thursday, the Council gave the final green light to lift the checks from next year, making Bulgaria and Romania full Schengen members.
The Schengen area allows more than 400 million people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls. The Schengen area consists of 25 of the 27 EU Member States (including Bulgaria and Romania), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Controls at the internal borders with Cyprus have not yet been lifted, and Ireland is not part of the Schengen area as it operates a common travel area with the UK.
'Historic moment'
Hungarian Minister for Home Affairs Sándor Pintér said that making Bulgaria and Romania full Schengen members was a priority for Hungary during its six month presidency of the European Council.
"It is a historic moment to finally welcome Bulgaria and Romania as full Schengen members. Lifting checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between those Member States has been a top priority for the Hungarian presidency, and today we have made it a reality. This step will benefit not only Bulgarian and Romanian citizens, but also the EU as a whole," he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that today is a "day of joy for all Bulgarians, Romanians and our entire Union".
"Both Member States will fully join the world's largest free movement area. This is important for all of us, European citizens and businesses. Together we will reap the benefits of a stronger and more connected Union," she said.
