EU home affairs ministers have officially approved the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area, granting the two nations full membership in the bloc’s border-free zone starting January 1.
This milestone comes as the Schengen framework faces renewed strain from the reintroduction of border controls by some member states.
The decision will remove land border checks between the two eastern European countries and their EU neighbors, raising the total number of Schengen members to 29. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated the news, writing on X: “Fully in Schengen — where you belong.”
Romania and Bulgaria have been EU members since 2007 but only attained partial Schengen membership earlier this year due to longstanding opposition from countries like Austria, which cited concerns over corruption and irregular migration. Austria’s recent decision to lift its veto cleared the way for Thursday’s approval.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis described the move as “natural and necessary” in affirming Romania’s full EU membership, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to “more Europe, not less.” Bulgaria’s foreign ministry called the development a “historic decision” that completes the country’s EU integration process.
However, the Schengen area itself is under pressure as nations such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands have reinstated border checks to address migration and security concerns. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced that Germany would extend its temporary border controls this month, further underscoring the tensions within the zone.
Léon Gloden, Luxembourg’s interior minister, criticized the reimposition of controls, warning that such actions erode trust and European values. EU home affairs commissioner Magnus Brunner vowed to examine whether these measures adhere to EU regulations.
For Romania and Bulgaria, full Schengen membership is a significant achievement, but it comes during challenging political periods for both nations. Bulgaria has endured three years of political instability, marked by seven consecutive failed elections to form a stable government.
In Romania, far-right gains in recent elections have forced mainstream parties into an uneasy coalition. The country’s presidential election was marred by a Russian cyberattack and social media disinformation campaign, leading to the annulment of the vote by Romania’s top court and a new election scheduled for next year.
Historian Ion M. Ionita noted that full Schengen membership is a powerful symbol of Romania’s alignment with the West, despite Russia’s efforts to challenge this narrative. “It ends a long discussion about Romanians being second-class citizens in the EU — nobody can claim that now,” he added.
While this step forward is cause for celebration, challenges remain, including Romania’s pending adoption of the euro, which would mark the final phase of its EU integration journey.
