Romania and Bulgaria enter the Schengen area 100% after 13 years of waiting. A symbolic moment and opportunities to be seized for these two countries. Go behind the scenes of this historic event…
This is a historic moment for Romania and Bulgaria. After spending 13 long years in the antechamber of the Schengen area, these two Eastern European countries finally fully accessed it this Wednesday. A symbolic integration that brings opportunities for these nations, which are among the poorest in the European Union.
The end of a long wait
Bucharest and Sofia had actually met the technical criteria to join the free movement zone since 2011. But each time, member states raised objections, making this issue a source of frustration exploited by Romania's Eurosceptic parties. With this accession, the feeling of being “second-class citizens” is finally fading for nationals of the two countries, according to experts.
A two-step process
The integration of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area is taking place in two stages. Since March 2024, controls have already been lifted at airports and seaports. In mid-December, the two countries received the green light from their European partners to benefit from the same fluidity at land borders.
Ceremonies are planned at midnight, changeover time, at various crossing points. Romanian and Bulgarian leaders welcome “a historic decision” and “a key objective” achieved since their entry into the EU in 2007. The Schengen zone, created in 1985, now includes 25 of the 27 member states as well as Switzerland, Norway , Iceland and Liechtenstein. More than 400 million people can move freely there.
Austria's key role
This progress would not have been possible without the lifting of the Austrian veto. Vienna, which deplored an influx of asylum seekers, feared that the situation would worsen with an enlargement of Schengen. But the country ended up accepting partial membership in the spring, then total membership, believing that the measures put in place in recent months had made it possible to reduce crossings.
An agreement provides for temporary controls for six months to prevent a possible change in migration routes. In addition, surveillance will be reinforced at the border between Bulgaria and Turkey, which becomes an external border of the Schengen area.
Significant economic benefits expected
Beyond its symbolic significance, the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to Schengen should generate significant economic benefits. Estimates are for an increase in GDP of at least 1% in both countries. Road hauliers, who suffered from waits of up to 20 hours at the borders, are particularly relieved.
It was a complete waste of time for the drivers who couldn't even rest as they had to move their vehicles every 10 minutes.
Beniamin Lucescu, president of a transport federation in Romania
In Bulgaria, however, the state of infrastructure could limit the positive effects in the short term. Between narrow roads, poorly maintained highways, rare bridges over the Danube and dilapidated railways, investments will be needed to take full advantage of free movement.
New perspectives for tourism
For its part, the tourism sector anticipates an increase in the number of travelers going to Greece via Bulgaria. For Romanians and Bulgarians alike, Thessaloniki is becoming a much more accessible destination without queues at the borders. Some estimate that this journey will be as quick as reaching the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
This is great news, we have been looking forward to full Schengen membership.
Ivaïlo Kirkov, owner of a holiday home in northern Bulgaria
Thus, after more than a decade of patience, Romania and Bulgaria are entering a new era. If challenges remain to make the most of this integration, July 1, 2024 will remain a major turning point in the European history of these two nations.
