Key Points
- Romania will officially join the Schengen Area through land borders starting January 1, 2025, as announced by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
- Austria has lifted its veto on the full Schengen accession for both Romania and Bulgaria.
- A vote on the matter is expected at the EU Council meeting on December 12-13, according to European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson.
- Romania and Bulgaria’s full Schengen membership is now set, with both countries gaining access to land borders by the beginning of 2025.
Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu confirmed that Romania will become a full member of the Schengen Area starting from January 1, 2025, specifically through land borders. This announcement followed a joint statement with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, according to Schengen.News.
“We have reached an agreement among the interior ministers of the four countries involved in Budapest, and I am confident that after 13 years, Romania will finally achieve full Schengen integration by the end of this year,” Ciolacu stated.
Romania and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen Area is linked, meaning Bulgaria will also gain full membership along with Romania. The two countries have already been part of the Schengen Area for air and sea travel since March 31, 2024. However, Austria had previously opposed their land border inclusion, citing concerns about irregular migration.
Today, Austria agreed to lift its veto on Romania and Bulgaria’s land border access. Following a meeting with Austria, Romania, and Bulgaria’s interior ministers hosted by Hungary, a joint agreement was made, clearing the path for Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen Area on land borders.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban remarked, “We have agreed that from January 1, Romania will not only be a member of Schengen by air and sea, but also by land. All EU interior ministers must take the decision.” He emphasized that Romania and Bulgaria have now met all the criteria for Schengen accession.
Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter added that Romania and Bulgaria have made significant progress toward full Schengen integration, with both countries closer than ever to finalizing their membership.
A final decision will be made at the EU Council meeting for Justice and Home Affairs on December 12, with a vote anticipated between December 12-13. European Commissioner Ylva Johansson expressed her optimism that, by January 2025, the border checks would be completely eliminated.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, also welcomed the decision, highlighting that a stronger Schengen means a stronger Europe.
