Bulgaria and Romania are holding ceremonies to mark their full membership in Europe’s Schengen area, the culmination of years of negotiations by the Eastern European countries to join the ID check-free travel zone.

Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen zone on Wednesday, expanding the borderless area to 29 members and ending a 13-year wait for the two eastern European countries.

Ceremonies mark culmination of years of negotiations by the Eastern European countries to join the ID check-free travel zone.

Romania and Bulgaria officially join the Schengen Area on 1 January 2025, removing border controls and ensuring free movement across the EU

Celebrations and ceremonies marked the January 1 2025 full integration of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen visa zone, as the countries’ land borders were included, following the