Romania and Bulgaria Celebrate Full Entry Into Schengen Zone With Border Ceremonies

Ceremonies were held at the borders of Romania and Bulgaria to commemorate the two nations officially becoming full members of the Schengen Area, marking the end of a long path toward ID-check-free travel throughout much of Europe. The milestone, achieved after years of negotiations, was celebrated on Wednesday with events held at several border crossings.

In Bulgaria, a symbolic gesture marked the occasion on the first day of the new year, as caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev lifted the border barrier at the Kulata crossing on the Greek border. “Today is a historic moment, the fruit of the efforts of many people. It is also a fact thanks to the border police, the military, Frontex staff and all our allies in the European Union. Together, we will all be much better able to protect the EU's external borders from Greece all the way to Finland,” Glavchev declared.

At midnight on January 1, the interior ministers of both Bulgaria and Romania gathered at the Ruse-Giurgiu crossing, a key bridge between the two countries, to ceremonially open the frontier. Another event took place at the Romanian-Hungarian border, where Hungary’s national police chief met with Romania’s chief border inspector to mark the occasion.

This new stage in Schengen integration brings significant change for the combined 25 million citizens of Romania and Bulgaria, who now join nearly 450 million EU residents already enjoying border-free travel within the zone. Until now, the two countries were only partially integrated into Schengen since March, with unrestricted travel limited to air and sea routes.

The process of joining the Schengen Area has been a prolonged one. Romania and Bulgaria entered the European Union in 2007, but discussions on Schengen accession began in 2011. After years of delays, the European Commission gave its formal approval in December, an endorsement that sent a strong signal to the citizens of both nations. They can now consider themselves fully part of the European Union's core freedoms.

Previously, residents of the two nations often faced long queues at the 30 land crossings between Romania and Bulgaria due to document checks and customs procedures. With full Schengen membership, cars can now travel through without needing to stop or present identification. Bulgarians and Romanians are now able to drive directly to destinations such as France, Spain, or Norway without presenting a passport.

Nonetheless, authorities plan to implement random checks during the first six months following accession to mitigate the risk of cross-border crime. These inspections will particularly target larger vehicles and high-traffic areas to deter illegal activities.

The border opening is also expected to improve regional relations, especially between Hungary and Romania. An estimated one million ethnic Hungarians live in Romania’s Transylvania region—a population that remains a legacy of post-World War I border realignments. While historical tensions have existed, the easier travel could help foster stronger ties between the two neighboring countries.

In addition to making travel easier for citizens, the Schengen integration of Bulgaria and Romania may also attract more European tourists to the Eastern European states, opening the door to increased cultural exchange and economic benefits from a new wave of visitors.

By fLEXI tEAM