Two more countries in Europe have become full members of the Schengen Area.

Romania and Bulgaria, members of the European Union, have been accepted as full members of the Schengen area. A vote on Schengen was held today at the EU Interior Ministers Council meeting, led by Hungary, which holds the EU Presidency. With the decision taken by the votes of the ministers, it was accepted that Bulgaria and Romania, which were previously partially included in the Schengen area, are now full member countries.

"A GREAT VICTORY FOR ALL OF EUROPE"

In a statement made on social media by the Hungarian EU Council Presidency, it was stated, "The interior ministers have just approved the decision to lift border controls with Bulgaria and Romania starting from January 1, 2025. This is a great victory for Bulgaria, Romania, and all of Europe."

"THIS STEP WILL BENEFIT THE ENTIRE EU"

Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter said, "The fact that Bulgaria and Romania are finally full members of Schengen is a historic moment. Lifting border controls with these EU member states was one of the top priorities of the Hungarian Presidency, and we have made it a reality today. This step will benefit not only the citizens of Bulgaria and Romania but the entire EU as well." With the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria, which joined the EU in 2007, the number of countries that are full members of the Schengen area has risen to 29.

EU COUNTRIES HAD APPROVED PARTIAL MEMBERSHIP BY THE END OF 2023

The European Commission announced in 2011 that Bulgaria and Romania were ready to join the Schengen area, but some countries, including Austria, opposed this due to concerns such as irregular migration and corruption. By the end of 2023, EU member countries approved the partial inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen area, and border controls for air and sea travel were lifted as of March 31, 2024. The decision for the two Eastern European countries to become full members of the Schengen area and to lift border controls came after Austria lifted its veto against these two countries last month.