Romanian National Institute of Statistics or relevant tourism department reports

Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Area After Austria Lifts Veto, Expanding Zone to 29 Countries

Jan 1, 2025, 07:19 AM

Romania and Bulgaria have officially become full members of the European Union's Schengen Area as of January 1, 2025, marking the end of a 13-year wait for the two countries. This integration eliminates land border controls with other Schengen member states, facilitating free movement for residents and goods. The Schengen zone now includes 29 countries, enabling seamless travel across much of Europe. Austria's lifting of its veto in December 2024 paved the way for this milestone, following partial Schengen access by air and sea in March 2024. The removal of border checks is expected to significantly benefit the economies of both nations, particularly in the transport and tourism sectors. For Romania, 40 border checkpoints with Hungary and Bulgaria have been closed, and similar measures have been implemented by Bulgaria. Romania and Bulgaria, with populations of 19 million and 6 million respectively, are expected to see economic benefits from reduced transit times and increased competitiveness in logistics. Temporary random checks will be conducted for six months to address security concerns.