By Nina Cullen
After more than a decade of debate and opposition, EU interior ministers decided on December 12, 2024, to lift internal land border controls with and between Bulgaria and Romania, allowing them to join the Schengen Zone fully. Starting January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full members, marking the end of a long journey toward European integration. Let’s take a closer look at the Schengen Area, its history, and the significance of this major development.
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a cornerstone of European Union cooperation. It enables unrestricted movement across 29 member countries, eliminating border controls for individuals travelling within the zone. For the millions of people living in or visiting Europe, this means crossing borders without the hassle of passport checks or visas for short stays. But Schengen is more than just convenience—it is also undeniably symbolic of an interconnected Europe. It fosters economic prosperity, strengthens cultural bonds, and showcases the EU’s dedication to unity.
A Brief History of the Schengen Agreement
The journey of the Schengen Area began on June 14, 1985, when five nations—Belgium, France, West Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands—signed an agreement near the village of Schengen in Luxembourg. This pact laid the groundwork for removing internal border checks to allow seamless travel among member states.
The implementation of the agreement in 1995 was a turning point. Initial participants dismantled internal borders, setting an example for other nations. Over the years, more countries joined, and in 1999, Schengen’s principles were codified into EU law through the Amsterdam Treaty. Today, the Schengen Area spans nearly all EU member states, along with a few non-EU countries such as Norway and Switzerland. Currently, Cyprus and Ireland are the only remaining non-Schengen EU countries.
Romania and Bulgaria: The Journey to Schengen Membership
Romania and Bulgaria, EU members since 2007, have finally secured full access to the Schengen Area after years of opposition from several member states, notably Austria, which had long cited concerns over migration and irregular entries. Despite fulfilling technical and security requirements as far back as 2011, their accession faced delays due to political and diplomatic hurdles. Joining the Schengen Area, however, does not happen overnight. Let’s take a closer look at the timeline for their phased accessions:
- December 2023: The Council adopted a partial air-sea Schengen decision for the two nations, which took effect in March 2024. This allowed smoother air and sea travel while internal land borders remained controlled.
- December 12, 2024: EU interior ministers, under the Hungarian presidency, reached a landmark decision to lift internal land border controls. Sándor Pintér, Hungary’s home affairs minister, hailed this as a “top priority” for the presidency.
- March 31, 2024: Air and sea border checks between Romania, Bulgaria, and other Schengen countries were removed.
- January 1, 2025: Land border controls will be abolished, completing Romania and Bulgaria’s integration into the Schengen Area. However, internal border controls will temporarily remain in place at land borders between Romania and Bulgaria, as well as between Romania and Hungary, for at least six months. This measure aims to mitigate potential changes in migratory patterns due to the removal of internal borders.
Why This Expansion Matters
The inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria is more than just a procedural change. It’s a change that carries significant economic, social, and symbolic weight. Here’s why it matters:
1. Strengthened Economic Integration
The removal of border controls will make the movement of goods, services, and people easier and faster. Romanian and Bulgarian businesses stand to benefit from lower transportation costs and fewer delays, while their trading partners across Europe will enjoy streamlined logistics. This integration is expected to boost trade and economic ties across the continent. Romanian Finance Minister Marcel Boloș highlighted that businesses stand to save millions annually in logistics costs, enhancing the competitiveness of Romanian products on the European market. In terms of economic growth, Victor Negrescu, vice-president of the European Parliament, predicted that Romania’s GDP could increase by up to 2% in 2025 after joining the Schengen area.
2. Enhanced Regional Security
Joining the Schengen Area comes with stringent requirements for border security and migration management. Romania and Bulgaria have demonstrated their ability to safeguard external borders, contributing to a stronger, more unified European response to shared challenges such as migration and organised crime.
3. Boost to Tourism and Mobility
For tourists, the removal of border checks will make visiting Romania’s historic Transylvania region or Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast more convenient. Economy and Tourism Minister Ştefan Radu Oprea noted that Romania’s tourism industry is likely to see significant growth, mirroring Croatia’s experience after joining Schengen in 2023.
Challenges for the Schengen Area
While this expansion is a cause for celebration, it comes at a time when the Schengen Area is under strain. Several member states, including Austria, Italy, Norway, Germany, France, and Poland, have reinstated temporary border checks in response to security threats and migration pressures.
Moreover, integrating Romania and Bulgaria will require careful coordination to balance the benefits of free movement with robust security measures. This is an opportunity to demonstrate that the Schengen system can adapt and thrive, even amidst challenges.
European Studies Review 