Bulgaria and Romania will officially join the Schengen Area on March 31st, marking a historic moment for both nations and the European Union. Starting from this date, internal maritime and air borders will be lifted, allowing for easier travel between these countries. The decision to include Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen Area was made by the European Council in December, signaling a significant achievement for the Schengen Area, which is the largest free movement zone in the world.
President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen celebrated this milestone as a significant achievement for the Schengen Area, emphasizing the importance of working together to build a stronger and more united Europe for all citizens. Bulgaria and Romania have been striving to meet all necessary conditions for entry into the Schengen Area since 2011, making this development highly anticipated by EU citizens.
The Schengen Area originally began as an intergovernmental project involving five countries and has since expanded to include almost all EU member states. Although Cyprus and Ireland are not part of the zone, other non-EU countries such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are included. However, road access to Bulgaria and Romania remains closed due to Austria’s concerns about potential increases in asylum seekers. This decision has had a significant impact on hauliers who rely heavily on road transport for goods movement.
Despite this setback, both Sofia and Bucharest have reiterated their commitment to the Schengen Area and have stressed that there is no turning back. Romanian Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu has called the process of joining the Schengen Area irreversible and has set a goal of completion by the end of the year. This development marks a significant step forward for Bulgaria and Romania as they integrate fully into
