Romania, Bulgaria fully join Schengen border-free zone

Romania and Bulgaria officially joined the EU’s Schengen zone yesterday, eliminating land border controls with other member states. The move allows residents to travel freely without passport checks.

Austria, a key opponent, vetoed Romania’s and Bulgaira’s entry to the zone in 2022. While controls on air and sea borders were lifted earlier last year, the European Union only decided to remove border controls for the two countries after Austria dropped its veto last month.

Schengen zone consists of 29 European countries that have eliminated internal border controls. Established in 1995, it functions like a single state for international travel, featuring unified external border controls and shared visa policies.