On 1 January, Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen Area after the checks on persons at the internal land borders were lifted.
The internal air and sea border controls between Bulgaria and Romania and the countries of the Schengen area were lifted on 31 March 2024.
Welcoming both Member States will boost the EU’s travel, trade and tourism industries and contribute to strengthening the internal market.
European liberals have stood by the Romanian and Bulgarian citizens with various resolutions, the latest one in October 2024, pushing for the accession to be wrapped up by the end of 2024.
The area now encompasses 25 of the 27 EU Member States, excluding Cyprus and Ireland. It also covers Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
“Romania's accession to the Schengen Area, a right earned by Romanians over a decade ago, has finally become a reality. This achievement belongs to a nation that, following a bloody anti-communist revolution, set its sights on Europe and never wavered from this goal. It is a testament to the people who envision the European family as a union founded on freedom, prosperity and shared security," said ALDE Party Vice-President Dan Barna MEP.
“This historic milestone signifies the removal of internal border controls and stronger unity within the European Union. We have finally brought back the hope and belief in European equality - in a truly united, inclusive European community, in Europe of free borders and no barriers, in the promise, that Europe leaves no one behind,” added Ilhan Kyuchyuk MEP, former ALDE Party Co-President.