EU Council approves Bulgaria and Romania to join Schengen from January 1

The Council of the European Union (EU) has approved the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Agreement from January 1. This is stated in a statement published on December 12 on the council's website.

"The EU Member States have decided to abolish checks of persons at internal land borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania from January 1, 2025," the press release reads.

The statement also quotes Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pinter, who called the decision a historic moment, and also noted that the abolition of checks was one of Hungary's top priorities during its presidency of the Council of the EU, which will last until the end of 2024.

Earlier on December 9, the country's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said Austria had lifted its veto on Schengen enlargement and approved Romania and Bulgaria's accession to the European Union (EU). The country had blocked Romania and Bulgaria from fully joining the Schengen zone from 2022 due to concerns over illegal migration.

On December 31, 2023, the EU decided to abolish air and sea controls at internal borders between Bulgaria, Romania and Schengen countries from March 2024. At the same time, passport border controls were retained at land border crossings.

In 1985, the Schengen Agreement was signed to simplify passport and visa controls at the borders of a number of EU states. The agreement defined the so-called Schengen zone, which includes 29 states.