Starting from January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria have officially become the newest members of the Schengen Zone, increasing the total number of EU countries in this borderless area to 29. This development follows the approval of European Union ministers to grant full Schengen membership to Romania and Bulgaria, confirmed during the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on December 12, 2024.

The accession marks the close of a decade-long wait for these Balkan nations, which partially entered the Schengen Zone for air and sea ports on March 31, 2024, but were not allowed access through land borders.

Austria, having expressed consistent concerns over irregular migration, lifted its veto regarding land border controls on December 2024, allowing Romania and Bulgaria to join Schengen fully.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated, “After ‘Schengen Air,’ ‘Schengen Land’ is now open to Romania and Bulgaria.” However, there is a stipulation; land border controls between Hungary and Romania, as well as Romania and Bulgaria, will be reinstated for a minimum of six months to address potential threats to public order and security.