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Moment of Relief as Romania and Bulgaria Join EU Border-Free Zone

Moment of Relief as Romania and Bulgaria Join EU Border-Free Zone
Credit: Getty Images

After 17 years of anticipation, Romania and Bulgaria have officially joined the Schengen Area as full members, effective January 1, 2025. This marks a significant milestone for both countries, which will now benefit from free movement across most of Europe, including France, Spain, and Norway. For the 25 million residents of both nations, it’s a long-awaited moment of acceptance within the European Union.

The Schengen Area, a key achievement in European integration, eliminates border checks for most EU member countries. Romania and Bulgaria were initially excluded after joining the EU in 2007, primarily due to concerns over border security and migration. However, after Austria lifted its objections, land border checks were removed, and now, with the inclusion of these countries, citizens can travel freely across 29 Schengen member states.

For truck drivers, however, the transition remains complicated. Despite the lifting of land border checks, there are still inspections and delays at major crossings, particularly between Romania and Hungary. These checks, including for documents, weight limits, and migrant searches, can lead to significant delays, costing the Romanian road transport industry billions. Nonetheless, the move to Schengen is expected to reduce wait times and improve trade competitiveness, especially in industries like Romania’s wine exports.

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