On Sunday, Bulgaria and Romania were officially integrated into the Schengen area, Europe’s extensive zone of unrestricted movement, allowing for seamless travel by air and sea.
This development comes after 13 years of anticipation. However, due to Austria’s veto stemming from concerns about a surge in asylum seekers, this newfound status excludes land travel.
The introduction of air and sea travel freedom holds considerable symbolic significance, despite the limitations on land borders.
Stefan Popescu, a foreign policy expert, hailed this event as a significant achievement for both nations, reflecting their integral role within the European Union (EU) and addressing issues of dignity and equality among EU citizens.
Ivan Petrov, a Bulgarian marketing professional residing in France, expressed his excitement over the convenience and time-saving benefits this change will bring.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, celebrated this as a monumental step for the Schengen zone, which now includes 29 members, enhancing the unity and strength of Europe.
The Romanian government announced that Schengen regulations would be implemented at four seaports and 17 airports, notably at the Otopeni airport near Bucharest, the primary hub for Schengen flights.
Additional staff, including border and immigration officers, will be assigned to airports to assist travellers and prevent illegal departures from Romania.
Furthermore, random inspections will be conducted to thwart human trafficking and identify fake documentation.
Both Bulgaria and Romania aspire for complete integration into the Schengen zone by year’s end, although Austria has only conceded to opening air and sea borders thus far.
Notably, Croatia, having joined the EU after Bulgaria and Romania, became the 27th member of the Schengen area in January 2023.
The Schengen Agreement, established in 1985, facilitates the free movement of over 400 million individuals across its member states without the need for internal border checks.
