Romania will finally join the Schengen area on January 1st, 2025, with their neighbor, Bulgaria. This marks a historic milestone for the country, but also one that changes how people will travel in Romania and across Europe as a whole.
This major announcement went under the radar because of the shocking results of the Presidential elections, where independent candidate Calin Georgescu surprised everyone with his unexpected win in the first round.
Romania partially joined the Schengen area earlier this year, but only by air and sea. The recent confirmation at a joint meeting in Budapest ensures that Romania will achieve full membership by land starting in January 2025.
As part of the agreement, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Austria will implement additional measures to secure the EU’s borders. A key one is the deployment of a multinational police contingent with officers from each of the four nations, reinforcing the EU’s external borders.
However, Romania will still have border controls for all its land traffic for at least six months following their accession. Bulgaria struck a better deal, as they will no longer have border controls with their neighbor, Greece.
Even though slower than many – myself included – would want, things are still moving in the right direction and, most likely, sometime in 2025, there will be full borderless travel between Romania and its neighbors in the Schengen Area.
Will travel to Romania now count as stay in the Schengen zone?
YES! All days spent in Romania will count as days spent in the Schengen area. Per the rules, you can spend 90 days in any 180–day period within the area.
This is a major change for those who used to “trick” their Schengen stay by spending 90 days in Romania or Bulgaria, then move for three months in a Schengen country and keep doing this over and over again.
You can read more about Romania as an EU and Schengen member here.
Now, the number of non-Schengen countries in Europe is reduced, with only Cyprus and Ireland remaining as European Union countries that are not in Schengen.
Other non-Schengen countries in Europe are the UK, Serbia, Moldova, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro and Turkey (if you count them as an European country).
Why is it so important that Romania is finally in the Schengen area?
For most people visiting this blog, the main benefit of the country’s ascension in Schengen is the removal of border checks, so smoother, faster travel within the EU mainly.
However, there are other important factors at play. For instance, the elimination of border checks will significantly improve Romania’s trade opportunities, boosting its economy in the long run.
Reduced travel and logistics costs could attract foreign investment and stimulate growth in various sectors.
Constanța, as a major Black Sea port, might become a critical hub for EU trade routes, linking Eastern Europe to Central Asia and beyond.
Tourism can also get a massive boost because of the borderless travel routes, so more people will be able to experience Transylvania, visit Bucharest, and enjoy all the amazing things Romania has to offer.
All in all, Romania joining Schengen makes it easier for travelers to visit the country (no need for additional visas, for example), but also comes with potential benefits for the economy.
- Best Christmas Markets in Romania: The Ultimate Winter Wonderland - December 9, 2024
- Romania’s Presidential Election Annuled by the Constitutional Court: ALL the Details - December 7, 2024
- Who Is Elena Lasconi: Romania’s Potential New President - December 3, 2024