Bulgaria and Romania set to join Schengen area as border controls lift

On December 12, 2024, in Brussels, Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan convened with EU counterparts to discuss the functionality of the Schengen area. Rakušan stressed the necessity for temporary measures concerning internal border checks and expressed his view that the system would operate more effectively with improved protection of the EU's external borders and a functioning return policy for migrants. His comments came amid ongoing internal border controls implemented by various member states, notably Germany, citing reasons such as the need to curb illegal immigration and address security threats. A significant development during this meeting was the approval for Bulgaria and Romania to fully integrate into the Schengen area, which will take effect on January 1, 2025. Rakušan congratulated both nations for their long-awaited entry after years of fulfilling the necessary obligations for Schengen standards. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu expressed that this accession would not only boost the economy but also streamline travel for millions of Romanians abroad. Similarly, Bulgarian officials celebrated this milestone as a historic decision marking the culmination of their EU integration efforts. Despite Rakušan's remarks advocating for temporary internal checks, lingering tensions remain among member states regarding border security. Countries like Austria previously opposed the accession of Bulgaria and Romania due to concerns over illegal migration, leading to prolonged negotiations over land border controls. With these internal restrictions, Austria has reported a drastic decrease in illegal crossings, establishing a balance between migration control and the principles of free movement that define the Schengen area. As the landscape of European travel evolves, the integration of Bulgaria and Romania presents an opportunity to reassess the framework of Schengen and address ongoing challenges. The emergence of internal border checks by various nations, originally established to protect external borders, now threatens the core ideals of Schengen, underscoring the need for a collaborative approach to migration and security issues across Europe.