On December 30, 2023, the Council of the European Union agreed to eliminate air and maritime internal border controls for Bulgaria and Romania, effective March 31, 2024.

This decision represents a significant step toward the partial integration of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Area, allowing over 400 million individuals to travel freely without border checks.

Fully integrating Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Area would eliminate delays caused by land border controls, thereby improving trade and the movement of goods and individuals.

Despite having met all technical requirements for full Schengen membership since 2011, Bulgaria and Romania still face land border controls, complicating travel for millions of passengers each year.

The anticipated removal of land border checks is expected to boost investment, stimulate job creation, and enhance the EU's internal market and global competitiveness.

Granting full Schengen membership to Bulgaria and Romania would not only enhance border security along the EU's eastern borders but also strengthen the overall integrity of the Schengen Area.

Political considerations should not impede the integration process, as both countries have demonstrated their capability to uphold the EU's external border security standards.

The political consensus among EU member states remains the final hurdle for Bulgaria and Romania's full integration into the Schengen Area.

Romania and Bulgaria aim to achieve full Schengen membership by the end of 2024, with discussions expected during the Justice and Home Affairs Council on October 10-11, 2024.

The removal of air and maritime border checks has not led to a significant increase in illegal migration, indicating that both countries are successfully securing the EU's external borders.