Romania and Bulgaria officially joined the European Union’s Schengen free-travel area on Wednesday, 1st of January 2024, marking a historic step toward deeper European integration. Residents of both nations can now travel across 25 EU countries without passport checks, following the removal of land border controls.
Celebrations erupted at the Friendship Bridge crossing near Ruse, Bulgaria, as fireworks lit up the midnight sky. The symbolic barrier-raising ceremony, led by Bulgarian and Romanian interior ministers, underscored the significance of the moment. “This is a historic moment,” said Bulgarian Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev. “From Greece in the south to Finland in the north, and all the way to Portugal in the west – you can now travel without borders.”
This milestone follows Austria’s decision last month to lift its veto, which had delayed the process. Austria had previously expressed concerns over irregular migration but ultimately supported Bulgaria and Romania’s inclusion.
While air and sea border checks for both nations were removed in March 2024, the elimination of land border controls unlocks significant economic and logistical benefits. The Friendship Bridge, a critical transit route for international trade, is expected to see smoother traffic flow as bottlenecks become a thing of the past.
The Schengen area now encompasses 25 EU member states along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Ireland and Cyprus remain outside the zone, with Cyprus still addressing technical requirements.
This expansion reinforces the ideals of a borderless Europe. “We look forward to strengthened ties, seamless trade, and deeper integration,” said Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.
