Romania and Bulgaria Partially Join Schengen Travel Zone
Romania and Bulgaria took a significant step in their integration with the European Union by partially joining the Schengen travel zone. While travellers arriving by air or sea now enjoy ID-check-free access, land border checks persist due to opposition from Austria.
Austria's opposition over concerns of illegal migration has led to the retention of land border checks.
Travellers arriving by air or sea from both countries now have unrestricted access to the Schengen zone.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the partial inclusion as a "huge success" and a "historic moment" for European integration.
Established in 1985, the Schengen Area previously consisted of 23 EU member countries before Bulgaria and Romania's admission.