Two Balkan nations ring in the new year by joining the Schengen Zone, ending a 13-year wait

On January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria officially became full members of the Schengen Zone, expanding the borderless area to 29 members. The expansion marks the end of a 13-year wait for the two Eastern European countries, which had been partially included in the zone since March 2024, eliminating border checks at airports and ports. However, land border controls remained until now due to Austria's objections.

Austria had previously threatened to veto Romania and Bulgaria's full Schengen entry over migration concerns. This changed in December 2024 when Austria dropped its objections after the three countries reached a border protection agreement. The deal includes joint border patrols on the Bulgarian-Turkish border and temporary border controls for six months, addressing Vienna’s concerns. Following this, Romania and Bulgaria gained unrestricted access to the Schengen Zone at midnight on January 1, 2025, marking a historic moment.

The Schengen Area, created in 1985, now includes 25 EU members and four non-EU countries, covering more than 400 million people. Romania and Bulgaria, which have met the Schengen membership criteria since 2011, had faced repeated objections from some member states. "Member states objected every time" Romania and Bulgaria tried to join, said analyst Valentin Naumescu, adding that the delay fueled frustration and anti-EU sentiment, especially in Romania.


Leaders across Europe hailed the expansion as a significant step forward, with truckers particularly celebrating the change. Previously, lorry drivers faced long wait times—up to 20 hours—at the land borders. “It was a pure waste of time for drivers," said Beniamin Lucescu, head of a Romanian transport federation. The expansion is also expected to boost Romania's and Bulgaria’s economies, with GDP growth estimates of at least one percentage point.

Tourism is expected to rise, with the removal of border checks making travel easier, particularly between Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece.