On Saturday, the Council of EU governments declared that citizens from Romania and Bulgaria will be exempt from passport requirements for air or sea travel to most European Union countries, as well as Norway and Switzerland.
Schengen Area Expansion: Effective March 31, 2024
This travel relaxation is set to take effect from March 31, 2024, marking the expansion of the Schengen area, the European Union’s border-free travel zone, which now includes 25 out of the 27 EU nations.
Inclusions and Exclusions in the Schengen Area
While the Schengen area extends to non-EU members Norway and Switzerland, this expansion excludes EU member countries Ireland and Cyprus. EU citizens will still be required to present passports for entry into these two nations.
Land Entry Considerations
Notably, the passport exemption for air and sea travel does not extend to land entry at this time. However, ongoing discussions aim to explore the possibility of relaxing passport requirements for land travel as well.
Romania’s Prime Minister Confirms Development
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu confirmed this development, expressing that from March of the following year, Romanians will benefit from the Schengen area for air and sea travel.
Long-Standing Efforts and Recent Shift in Austria’s Stance
Romania and Bulgaria have been making efforts to join the Schengen area for an extended period. Opposition from Austria, driven by concerns about the handling of illegal immigration, had hindered progress. However, recently, Gerhard Karner, the Austrian Interior Minister, signaled a shift in Vienna’s stance.
Political Consensus and Border Security Measures
A political consensus was reached among Romanian, Austrian, and Bulgarian authorities on December 23, as per a statement from Romania’s interior ministry. The application of Schengen rules to Romania’s land borders will be intricately linked with measures to strengthen border control and adhere to the Dublin Agreement.
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Concerns and Unity of the European Union
Austria’s previous opposition to Romania and Bulgaria’s inclusion in the Schengen zone had raised concerns about the unity of the European Union. Vienna’s stance was driven by increasing pressure to adopt a stricter immigration policy.
EU Membership of Romania and Bulgaria
Both Romania and Bulgaria became members of the European Union on January 1, 2007.