Romania and Bulgaria will join Schengen with land borders starting January 1, 2025. The decision taken in the Justice and Home Affairs Council was announced by the Hungarian EU presidency, and was welcomed by European Union officials.
The European Commission welcomed today’s unanimous decision by the Council to lift internal land border controls with Romania and Bulgaria as of 1 January 2025.
“This important step marks the full integration of both countries into the Schengen area. This not only strengthens the Schengen area, but also consolidates the internal market, boosts travel, trade and tourism. A robust Schengen area supports the unity of the European Union and makes the EU stronger globally. Today’s decision means that, as of 1 January 2025, citizens will be able to travel without land border controls to and between Bulgaria and Romania,” the European Commission press release said.
Since last December, when the Council decided to admit Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area, both Member States have taken all necessary measures to ensure the smooth application of Schengen rules as of 31 March 2024, the source quoted says.
“At that time, internal air and sea border controls were lifted and Schengen rules started to apply, including those on the issuance of Schengen visas. The cooperation frameworks launched by the Commission in March this year with Bulgaria and Romania build on the successful implementation of pilot projects for fast-track asylum and return procedures. Both countries will continue to support joint European efforts to secure the EU’s external borders and address migration challenges. The Commission will also continue to provide financial support and assistance from Frontex to the two Member States,” says the European Executive.
The European Commission also states that “as highlighted in the 2024 State of Schengen Report, the Schengen area remains strong and continues to be the most visited destination in the world.”
“Ensuring smooth and safe travel in a region with a population of almost 450 million people, the Schengen area is essential for the European Union, its citizens and its businesses. By fully integrating Bulgaria and Romania into Schengen, we are taking another crucial step towards building a strong and connected Union”, concludes the aforementioned source.
Klaus Iohannis: “A natural and necessary step”
“Today I have good news, Romania is in Schengen with full rights”, said Klaus Iohannis, in a press statement held at the Cotroceni Palace, shortly after the official announcement regarding Romania’s accession to Schengen was made.
“This morning, in Brussels, the decision was made regarding the accession of our country, including its land borders, to the Schengen area, with effect from January 1, 2025, a decision that has been awaited by all of us for too long”, said the Romanian president.
“Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Romanian authorities and the intense steps taken at the political-diplomatic level – and I want to highlight here in particular the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we can finally enjoy a well-deserved right, legitimately acquired by Romania. Joining the Schengen area represents a natural and necessary step in consolidating Romania’s status as a full member of the European Union. The advantages of our membership in the common area of free movement are multiple and have a direct impact on citizens, the economy and the external image of our country.
The elimination of internal border controls means faster and simpler movement for those who travel, the time spent at the borders will be considerably reduced, and logistics costs for companies will decrease, which will rapidly increase the competitiveness of Romanian products and services on the European market. At the same time, Romania’s attractiveness for foreign investors will also increase considerably, who will see a commercial advantage in the increased connectivity of our country.
Full membership of the Schengen area therefore strengthens Romania’s strategic position as a gateway between Eastern and Western Europe. Joining the Schengen area has been an important strategic objective for our country.
Over time, there have been a number of obstacles, despite the fact that Romania has long been technically prepared to comply with Schengen requirements. In order to overcome all these difficulties and to convince European partners that we have every right to be part of Schengen, I have personally been involved in order to achieve a positive result.
In this regard, I have held countless discussions with my counterparts, participated in meetings and consultations aimed at convincing each country to express its support for us. Today’s decision is a clear confirmation, without any interpretation, of a reality.
Romania’s place is in the Schengen area, based on our performance and commitment. I want to congratulate all the institutions involved in this extensive effort and thank them for their hard work and perseverance in actively supporting this initiative throughout all these years. I also thank the European institutions and all the Member States that have supported us in this complex process. Romania will continue to act responsibly to protect and strengthen the Union’s external borders, including for the efficient management of illegal migration. Romania is and will remain a pro-European country.
However, recently we have seen serious attempts to minimize the importance of the European Union. Moreover, voices have been heard that dispute the benefits of our membership of the European space. Citizens have grievances and are justified in always demanding more and better from the political class in our country, but those who blame the European Union for these grievances do not wish us well.
Of course, the European Union can function better, and it is obvious that Romanian politicians need to be even more involved in order to obtain for our country as many benefits as possible that result from our European membership.
But, whenever we think of a better life and a more prosperous life, we think of what life looks like in a Western country, and we often hear the slogan “we want a country like abroad”. We want more freedoms, not more restrictions, we want more freedom of opinion, not less. So, in fact, we want more Europe, not less, and those who instigate the denial of European benefits and values are opponents of democracy and freedom and want the isolation of our country.
Romania is a stable country, a solid and safe country! The European direction remains our only real path to development, and all democratic political forces have the obligation to work together to keep this path unchanged. I congratulate you and thank you!”, says Klaus Iohannis.
PM Marcel Ciolacu also posted a message in English on X:
“#Romania fully accedes to the #Schengen area starting January 1st 2025, following today’s #JHA decision. A major benefit for our economy and faster journeys home for the millions of Romanians living and traveling in the #EU. #WeAreSchengen”.
In a separate statement, the prime minister said that “it is a historic decision (…), a victory for justice and national dignity and a clear signal that we will never accept being second-class citizens in Europe”.
“It is, above all, a triumph of all Romanians, regardless of political affiliation or social situation. It is a victory of teamwork, for the good of Romania, because opinion leaders from home and abroad, public figures, ordinary people, along with ministers, diplomats, MEPs and technicians from dozens of institutions contributed to this moment. For Romanian companies doing business with partners in European states, the elimination of border controls will facilitate trade and reduce logistics costs. This means that Romanian goods will become more competitive, which will stimulate the economy and create new business opportunities and jobs,” said Marcel Ciolacu.
According to him, accession will have “concrete and immediate benefits” for Romanians. “Especially for those in the diaspora, who travel frequently to Romania, especially during the holidays. We will no longer spend dozens of hours at the borders, but will move freely, without additional controls. This means more time spent with families and less stress when traveling,” said Ciolacu.
The Head of the Executive recalled his and the Government’s recent efforts on the Schengen issue.“Today, practically, we all see the result of the sustained efforts that I started from the first day of my mandate as Prime Minister, when I announced that Romania’s full integration into Schengen represents one of the great priorities of this Government. During this time, I have had numerous meetings with my counterparts from European states, who have become supporters of our cause, and I want to thank them in particular German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Their support was essential. I also thank the leaders of the European Commission and the European Parliament, who have been constantly with us and helped us reach today’s decision”, the Prime Minister also declared.
“Together, we have demonstrated that Romania deserves to be treated with respect and that the citizens of this country have equal rights with Europeans”, concluded Marcel Ciolacu.
The President of the European Commission also posted a message, in Romanian and Bulgarian, in which she welcomed the decision of the JHA Council. “Fully in Schengen – where you belong,” von der Leyen posted on X.
The President of the European Parliament welcomed the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to Schengen. “It’s done. It’s decided. It’s deserved. Romania & Bulgaria will fully join Schengen on 1 January 2025. Congratulations to the people of both countries who have worked hard and long for this. A stronger Schengen signifies a safer & more united Europe,” said Roberta Metsola.
The presidency has put the adoption of the Council decision setting the date for the lifting of checks on persons at the internal land border with and between Bulgaria and Romania on the agenda of the meeting of ministers. Both countries already fully apply Schengen rules from 31 March 2024. Internal air and maritime border controls with Bulgaria and Romania have also been lifted from that date.
The Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council held a meeting in Brussels on Thursday morning, and the agenda includes the item on the lifting of controls on persons at internal borders with and between Romania and Bulgaria from 1 January 2025. Minister Cătălin Predoiu will attend the meeting, the Ministry of Interior announced
“The presidency has put the adoption of the Council decision setting the date for the lifting of checks on persons at the internal land border with and between Bulgaria and Romania on the agenda of the meeting of ministers. Both countries already fully apply Schengen rules from 31 March 2024. Internal air and maritime border controls with Bulgaria and Romania have also been lifted from that date.
Ministers will also take stock of the overall state of the Schengen area. Ministers will in particular exchange views on the implementation of the priorities of the annual Schengen Council cycle. The discussion will focus on increasing overall security through digitalisation,” said the announcement.