EU approves full membership of Bulgaria, Romania to Schengen area from Jan.1, 2025
It’s a great victory for Bulgaria, Romania, all of Europe, says Hungarian Presidency of EU Council
ATHENS
EU on Thursday approved the full membership of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen area from Jan.1, 2025.
“A great victory for Bulgaria, Romania, and all of Europe,” the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council said in a statement.
It called the decision "a historic moment".
“Lifting checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between those member states has been a top priority for the Hungarian presidency, and today we have made it a reality. This step will benefit not only Bulgarian and Romanian citizens, but also the EU as a whole," it also said in a statement.
Schengen is the largest free travel area in the world. The Schengen area now covers 29 countries (25 of the 27 member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and 420 million people.
