Romania’s Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, announced that the country will join the Schengen Area for land borders starting January 1, 2025. His remarks were made during a joint statement with Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, in Budapest, as reported by Schengen.News.
“We have reached an agreement at the level of interior ministers of the four states involved, and I want to thank all teams for their efforts. Considering these concrete steps, I am confident that after 13 years, Romania will achieve full Schengen accession by the end of the year,” Ciolacu said.
Romania and Bulgaria are advancing as a “package deal” toward Schengen membership, meaning Bulgaria will also gain full Schengen access alongside Romania.
On November 22, Ciolacu met with Orban during his visit to Budapest for a meeting between the interior ministers of Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary, which currently holds the EU Council’s rotating presidency. The discussions focused on creating a joint package and additional measures for Romania and Bulgaria’s full Schengen integration.
Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area by air and sea on March 31, 2024. However, Austria blocked their land border accession due to concerns over irregular migration. This obstacle has now been removed, as Austria agreed to lift its veto during the Budapest meeting.
A Hungarian government spokesperson confirmed that the interior ministers reached a joint agreement, clearing the final hurdle for Romania and Bulgaria’s land border accession. The decision is expected to be formalized during the EU Council for Justice and Home Affairs meeting on December 12-13, where a vote is scheduled.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that Romania and Bulgaria have met all necessary criteria for full Schengen membership. “From January 1, Romania will be part of the Schengen Area by land, air, and sea, pending approval from EU interior ministers,” Orban said. Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér also noted significant progress toward full membership.
The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola expressed optimism about the decision. Johansson emphasized her hope that land border controls would be removed by January 2025, while Metsola highlighted the importance of a stronger Schengen for a stronger Europe.
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