(BRUSSELS) – Rules of the border-free Schengen zone applied to Bulgaria and Romania from 31 March, including on issuing Schengen visas and lifting controls at internal air and sea borders.
The Schengen accession of the two EU Member States is expected to make the common area more attractive by significantly expanding the world’s largest common area without internal border controls.
The two countries’ accession to Schengen was welcomed by the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen: “Tomorrow marks an important day: Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen family. I welcome the lifting of internal air and sea border checks. This is a great success for both countries. And a historic moment for the Schengen area – the largest area of free movement in the world.”
Since last December, both Member States have taken all necessary measures to ensure a smooth application of the Schengen rules as from 31 March 2024. The Cooperation Frameworks launched earlier this March by the Commission together with Bulgaria and Romania build on the successful implementation of the pilot projects for fast asylum and return procedures. With these Cooperation Frameworks, Romania and Bulgaria will further contribute to strengthening the cooperation on border and migration, as well as to the joint European efforts to address EU security at external borders and migratory challenges.
Furthermore, a regional initiative on police cooperation was established between Member States along the Western Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean routes, including Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, Greece, Hungary and Slovakia. This will allow to address related challenges jointly and in a sustainable manner, including as regards cross-border crime.
Bulgaria and Romania have continuously demonstrated a high level of commitment in ensuring an adequate protection of the EU external borders, says the Commission, and have constantly acted as key contributors to the internal security of the Schengen area.
The Council now needs to take a decision to establish a date for the lifting of checks at internal land borders between Bulgaria, Romania and the other Schengen countries.
Council Decision on the full application of the Schengen acquis in Bulgaria and Romania
