Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Zone, Ending 13-Year Wait

Romania and Bulgaria officially became full members of the Schengen zone on January 1, expanding the borderless area to 29 countries and marking the end of a 13-year delay.

The historic expansion was made possible after Austria and other members dropped their long-standing objections, allowing full integration of the two eastern European countries at midnight.

Celebrations were held at border posts to mark the occasion.

Romania and Bulgaria, EU members since 2007, had been partially integrated into the Schengen zone since March, with border checks eliminated at ports and airports.

However, Austria’s concerns over migration had delayed the removal of controls at land borders.

A breakthrough was reached in December when Austria withdrew its veto following an agreement on a “border protection package.”

The inclusion now eliminates all land border checks, aligning the two nations fully with Schengen’s principles.

Analysts predict the move will boost Romania’s and Bulgaria’s GDP by at least one percentage point.

Transport workers, particularly lorry drivers, welcomed the decision, citing reduced wait times at border crossings that previously caused delays of up to 20 hours.

Tourism is also expected to see a significant boost, with easier access to neighboring countries like Greece.

Bulgarian teacher and tour guide Gueorgui Grantcharov noted that travel from Sofia to Thessaloniki would now take just over four hours without border queues.

Romania and Bulgaria had met Schengen’s technical requirements since 2011, but repeated objections from member states had blocked their entry. This delay fueled frustration and perceptions of unfair treatment, often exploited by anti-EU movements.

Romanian political analyst Valentin Naumescu noted that the sense of “second-class citizenship” could now begin to fade.

Leaders from both countries hailed the development as a “historic moment” for the region. The Schengen zone now includes 25 of the EU’s 27 members, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, covering over 400 million people.

While the inclusion promises economic growth and increased mobility, challenges such as Bulgaria’s poor infrastructure remain hurdles to fully realizing the benefits of Schengen membership.