Romania and Bulgaria are preparing to become full members of the Schengen area from January 1, 2025

EU ministers took a major decision at their meeting on 12 December, formally approving the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area from 1 January 2025. The decision means the abolition of checks on persons at internal land borders between these countries and the rest of the EU, which will significantly simplify the movement of citizens. The Hungarian presidency of the EU Council praised the move, calling it a big victory for Bulgaria, Romania and the whole of Europe. Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér stressed that this was a historic moment aimed at strengthening unity and integration in Europe.

Romania and Bulgaria had already been part of the Schengen area by air and sea since 31 March 2024, but the anticipation of the abolition of land borders was a key moment for both countries. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson expressed confidence that full accession would be finalised at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting today. She noted that since 2012, both countries have met all the necessary technical conditions for accession, despite previous objections from Austria and the Netherlands, which were related to issues of illegal migration.

The change in the positions of Austria and the Netherlands in recent years has been an important step towards realizing this goal. Last year, Austria, which had previously been opposed, supported the partial accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area. This innovation will not only have a positive impact on the lives of the citizens of these countries, but will also strengthen overall security and economic cooperation within the European Union, creating new opportunities for cooperation and development.

This week, there was a significant change in Austria’s attitude towards the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner officially confirmed that the country’s ten-year veto on this issue had been lifted. His statement that “Schengen land is now open to Romania and Bulgaria” raises hopes for the harmonization of migration policy within the European Union and the strengthening of ties between the member states. This position of Austria coincides with the change in sentiment in the Netherlands, where the authorities have also expressed support for the rapid completion of the accession process.

Although she expresses personal dissatisfaction with the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen, the Minister for Asylum and Migration, Marjolein Faber, stresses that the final decision must be guided by the collective position of the cabinet. This underlines the importance of unity in European politics, despite the existing differences within parties and between different political forces. The lifting of the veto by Austria and the agreement of the Netherlands indicate a possible approach to resolving this protracted issue, contributing to the strengthening of internal security and free movement in Europe.