IDM Short Insights 41: Bulgaria and Romania join Schengen (finally!)

During the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 12 December 2024, it was confirmed that Bulgaria and Romania will become full Schengen members in January 2025. The two Black Sea countries have long pursued Schengen membership, with the European Commission deeming them ready since 2011—a stance repeatedly confirmed by experts. After the Netherlands withdrew its veto, Austria’s objection remained, citing illegal migration concerns.

However, domestic politics also played a role in Austria’s stance. As an intermediary step “Air Schengen” was established, enabling Bulgaria and Romania to lift controls at air- and sea ports, however, it affected fewer people and posed fewer issues like long waits, bureaucracy, or CO2 emissions. Prolonging this arrangement risked creating a two-tier EU, where some member states enjoy full rights despite meeting all criteria, setting a potentially dangerous precedent. This delay also fueled perceptions in Bulgaria and Romania of being treated as second-class EU citizens and diverted attention from more urgent matters in Brussels.

Nevertheless, this situation is now resolved and IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer together with IDM Research Associate Sophia Beiter are very happy that the activities of the institute have contributed a little bit to this positive development through.

Transcript: 

Now it is official.

Bulgaria and Romania will join the full Schengen area.

During the last Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in December 2024, it was decided that Bulgaria and Romania will become full Schengen members in January 2025. The two Black Sea countries have long fought membership and the European Commission deemed them ready back in 2011. This was subsequently reaffirmed by experts. The Netherlands lifted their veto, however, Austria still had reservations on the ground of illegal migration. However, there are certainly also political reasons behind this decision.

In 2023, the implementation of air Schengen was agreed upon. This made it possible for Romania and Bulgaria to lift border controls in sea and air traffic from April 2024 on. However, border controls on land remained in place. The implementation of air Schengen was seen as a positive step in the right direction, but it was never a permanent solution.

First of all, border controls in air traffic affect far less people and are also far less problematic in terms of bureaucracy, waiting times and CO2 emissions. And secondly, a possible stagnation on the level of air Schengen would have created a two-tier EU, where some enjoy more rights than others even though they also fulfill all necessary requirements, setting a potentially dangerous precedent for the future. It would have also been a relatively easy win for European integration.

The next Schengen enlargement can only happen after an EU enlargement, and it took attention away from more important things that Brussels could focus on. Additionally, it fueled sentiments in the Bulgarian and Romanian societies, because they felt as second-class citizens.

Now that the veto is lifted, Austria declared that far less migrants have arrived at the Hungarian border.

Nevertheless, we could certainly say that there was probably no more political capital to gain, but a lot of economic capital to lose. With all obstacles cleared, Bulgaria and Romania are now set to become full Schengen members, marking a significant milestone in their European integration journey.

This accession is not only valuable for the European economy, businesses and consumers, it also shows a clear signal of inclusivity, solidarity and unity at the European level.

And we are very happy that we were able to contribute a little bit to these positive developments through our activities at the IDM.

Congratulations to Bulgaria and Romania!