Bulgaria and Romania to join Schengen in 2025 – awaiting final approval

The Hungarian presidency of the EU Council has announced that the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) has completed preparations for a Council Decision to lift internal land border checks with Bulgaria and Romania, with implementation planned for 1 January 2025.

The formal adoption of this decision is expected at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 12 December.

This development follows last week’s ministerial meeting in Budapest, where Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and Austria agreed on a border protection package. According to the Hungarian presidency, removing these border checks is part of broader efforts to strengthen European integration and enhance the Schengen Area.

The decision is expected to bring Bulgaria, Romania, and other EU Member States closer in terms of cohesion and seamless movement across borders.