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.Romania and Bulgaria,

Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen free movement area at midnight local time on Wednesday (2200 GMT), ending more than 13 years of waiting. The borderless area’s expansion to 29 members comes after the two eastern European countries were partially included in the Schengen zone in March,

Full membership for Romania and Bulgaria made possible after Austria lifted its veto - Both countries expect to benefit economically and their GDP to increase by at least 1%

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