EU Ambassadors Approve Romania and Bulgaria's Accession to the Schengen Area from 1 January 2025

At a meeting on Wednesday, 27 November, the Permanent Representatives of the European Union agreed on the full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area. 

‘Following the successful ministerial meeting last week in Budapest, where Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and Austria agreed on a package of border security measures, today marks another key step towards European integration and the Schengen area,’ the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council said in a statement.

The Committee of Permanent Representatives has finalised preparations for a Council decision to abolish checks at the internal land border with Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2025. The decision is expected to be formally adopted by the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 12 December.

 ‘This is a victory for Bulgaria, Romania and the whole of Europe!’ said Balint Odor, President of the Committee of Permanent Representatives. 

Ambassador Balint Odor emphasised the importance of this achievement for Hungary, saying:

‘The decision we have just taken in Coreper is a milestone of particular significance for Hungary. During our first Presidency in 2011, we played a key role in promoting the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area. Now, during our second Presidency, we have the honour to complete this process, with the abolition of checks at internal land borders with these two Member States being a top priority for the Hungarian Presidency. With today's decision, we have taken the last preparatory step to make it happen. It strengthens unity, free movement and resilience across the EU.’ 

Romania and Bulgaria have been waiting for this since 2010, when they fulfilled all the technical requirements to join the Schengen area. However, they faced resistance from Austria and the Netherlands, which cited insufficient measures to curb illegal migration.

At the end of 2023, the EU agreed on the ‘partial’ accession of both countries to Schengen, which includes the removal of checks at airports and seaports from 30 March 2024.

Austria recently lifted its veto on Bulgaria and Romania's accession to Schengen after signing a package of measures last week to protect its borders from illegal immigrants.