It's been a rocky road to Schengen membership for both eastern European countries. View on euronews

Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of the Schengen Area that allows free movement of 420 million people between 29 mostly European Union countries without border checks from Jan. 1, the EU said Thursday.

Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of Europe's Schengen free-travel area from next month, swelling the number of nations to 29, the EU said on Thursday.

The European Union ministers has agreed to let Bulgaria and Romania fully integrate into Europe’s ID-check free travel zone known as the Schengen area by lifting land border controls next year.

The European Council concluded on December 10 that Bulgaria and Romania fulfill the essential criteria for complete accession to the Schengen Area.

Romania and Bulgaria have officially become full members of the Schengen Area, Azernews reports. "We welcome the decision of the European Council, which gives the green light for Romania and Bulgaria to fully join the Schengen family," the publication states.

Austria is dropping its veto on Romania and Bulgaria becoming full members of Europe's Schengen free-travel area, its interior ministry said on Monday, paving the way for European Union interior ministers to approve the move at a meeting on Thursday.

The Republic of Bulgaria and Romania strongly welcome the decision adopted unanimously on December 12, by the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs Council, on completing the process of full

Bulgaria is set to enter a new chapter in tourism with its upcoming membership in the land Schengen area, effective January 1, 2025. The role of media and the communication approach were highlighted as essential components of the Bulgarian tourism industry during the forum "BG Tourism - Winter 2024/2025.

The European Union on Thursday approved the full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen Area, effective from 1 January 2025. The Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council hailed the decision as "a historic moment" and "a great victory for Bulgaria, Romania, and all of Europe."

Romania and Bulgaria will gain full access to the European Union’s passport-free area next year, following a grueling, nearly two-decade push that will help boost their struggling economies.