Romania and Bulgaria officially joined the Schengen free-travel area on Wednesday, marking a milestone in their European Union membership journey. Land border controls were lifted, allowing seamless travel between these nations and the broader Schengen area.

At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s, the symbolic lifting of the barrier on the Friendship Bridge over the Danube River was celebrated with fireworks and ceremonies. This bridge, a crucial transit point for international trade between the two nations, connects Ruse in Bulgaria and Giurgiu in Romania.

The addition of Romania and Bulgaria reinforces the Schengen zone as one of the world’s largest free-travel areas, stretching from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia and from the Atlantic to Eastern Europe.

“This is a historic moment,” said Bulgarian Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev. “From Greece in the south to Finland in the north and all the way to Portugal in the west – you can travel without borders.”

According to Reuters, the removal of land border controls comes nearly a year after air and sea travel restrictions were lifted in March 2024. Both nations, which joined the European Union in 2007, faced delays in full Schengen integration due to Austria’s veto, which was based on concerns about irregular migration. However, Austria dropped its opposition last month, clearing the way for this milestone.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen congratulated the two nations in a post on X.


The Schengen area now comprises 25 of the EU’s 27 member states, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. It allows for passport-free travel across participating countries, promoting economic growth, tourism, and regional cooperation.

The Schengen zone originated in 1985 when border checks were abolished between France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Over time, it has expanded to encompass much of Europe, leaving only Ireland and Cyprus outside its bounds among EU members.