Romania-Bulgaria Partially Join Schengen Zone

Recently, Romania and Bulgaria partially entered the Schengen area, allowing free travel by air or sea but retaining land border checks.

Key Points

Land border checks remain due to opposition, primarily from Austria, over concerns about illegal migration.
Schengen Zone: With Romania and Bulgaria joining, now the Schengen Zone consists of 29 members; it includes 25 out of 27 member countries of the European Union and 4 other countries – Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Political and Economic Implications: Romania and Bulgaria's full accession to Schengen has been delayed by Austria's veto, despite meeting technical criteria.
Both countries aim for full accession by implementing security measures to combat illegal migration and cross-border crime.
Impact on Travel and Economy: Eased regulations expected to benefit tourism and facilitate operations at Bulgaria's international airports.
Concerns raised by European Parliament members about long queues at land borders and their impact on trade and driver safety.
Challenges and Opportunities: Delays at land borders pose challenges for truck drivers, impacting trade and costing the sector millions annually.
Continued efforts to streamline border controls and address logistical challenges are crucial for the region's economic integration.