After 13 years of waiting, Romania and Bulgaria became members of the Schengen zone

Romania and Bulgaria, after 13 years of waiting, today became full members of the Schengen zone.

In March 2024, controls at air and sea ports were abolished, and in mid-December these two countries received the consent of their European partners to abolish controls at land border crossings as well.

Entry into the Schengen area is marked at the border crossings at midnight on December 31.

For Bulgarians and Romanians, this means that they will now be able to drive to France, Spain or Norway without a passport.

Drivers and passengers no longer have to show any personal documents, and cars will pass without control.

Since 2011, Bulgaria and Romania have been waiting to become members of the free movement zone of the European continent.

According to a statement from the European Commission, since December 2023, when the EU Council decided to welcome Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area, both member states have taken all necessary measures to ensure the smooth application of Schengen rules from March 31, 2024.

On that date, internal air and sea border controls were abolished and Schengen rules began to apply, including the issuance of Schengen visas.

The Schengen area, established in 1985, now includes 25 of the 27 EU member states, and the associated countries Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Now there will be increased surveillance of the Bulgarian-Turkish border, which will become the external border of the Schengen area.