Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Area
Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen Area on January 1st, 2024, eliminating border checks for their 25 million citizens after years of negotiations, granting them freedom of movement within the 29-country zone, and marking a significant step towards full EU integration.
Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Area
Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen Area on January 1st, 2024, eliminating border checks for their 25 million citizens after years of negotiations, granting them freedom of movement within the 29-country zone, and marking a significant step towards full EU integration.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Area
Bulgaria and Romania fully joined the Schengen Area on January 1st, 2025, eliminating border controls after years of delay, resulting in significant economic benefits and improved travel but raising concerns about irregular migration.
Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Area
Bulgaria and Romania fully joined the Schengen Area on January 1st, 2025, eliminating border controls after years of delay, resulting in significant economic benefits and improved travel but raising concerns about irregular migration.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Area
At midnight, Bulgarian and Romanian interior ministers opened the Danube Bridge border crossing, granting free movement to 25 million citizens within the Schengen Area, ending long border waits and signifying full EU membership after 17 years and negotiations since 2011.
Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Area
At midnight, Bulgarian and Romanian interior ministers opened the Danube Bridge border crossing, granting free movement to 25 million citizens within the Schengen Area, ending long border waits and signifying full EU membership after 17 years and negotiations since 2011.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Area
Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area on December 14, 2023, eliminating land border controls after Austria dropped its veto concerning migration concerns; this expands the free movement zone to 25 of 27 EU member states.
Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Area
Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area on December 14, 2023, eliminating land border controls after Austria dropped its veto concerning migration concerns; this expands the free movement zone to 25 of 27 EU member states.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Schengen Agreement at 40: Internal Border Controls Undermine Free Movement
The 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement is threatened by increased internal border controls within the EU, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands, implemented to manage irregular migration, despite criticism from Luxembourg and ongoing debates about their effectiveness.
Schengen Agreement at 40: Internal Border Controls Undermine Free Movement
The 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement is threatened by increased internal border controls within the EU, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands, implemented to manage irregular migration, despite criticism from Luxembourg and ongoing debates about their effectiveness.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Schengen at 40: Border Controls Threaten Free Movement
Increased internal border controls in the Schengen Area due to high immigration numbers threaten the 40th-anniversary celebration in June 2025, highlighting the tension between free movement and security.
Schengen at 40: Border Controls Threaten Free Movement
Increased internal border controls in the Schengen Area due to high immigration numbers threaten the 40th-anniversary celebration in June 2025, highlighting the tension between free movement and security.
Progress
64% Bias Score
Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Zone
Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen zone on January 1, 2024, ending a 13-year wait and eliminating border controls after Austria dropped its objections following a border protection agreement focusing on the Bulgarian-Turkish border.
Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Zone
Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen zone on January 1, 2024, ending a 13-year wait and eliminating border controls after Austria dropped its objections following a border protection agreement focusing on the Bulgarian-Turkish border.
Progress
32% Bias Score
Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Area
On December 14, 2023, Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen Area after a 13-year wait, eliminating land border checks between them and other EU countries, resolving earlier concerns about migration controls, chiefly from Austria, and expanding the borderless zone to 29 members.
Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Area
On December 14, 2023, Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen Area after a 13-year wait, eliminating land border checks between them and other EU countries, resolving earlier concerns about migration controls, chiefly from Austria, and expanding the borderless zone to 29 members.
Progress
32% Bias Score
Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Area
Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area on December 14, 2023, eliminating land border controls after Austria lifted its veto concerning irregular migration; this expansion facilitates free movement for over 425 million people and strengthens the EU.
Romania and Bulgaria Join Schengen Area
Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area on December 14, 2023, eliminating land border controls after Austria lifted its veto concerning irregular migration; this expansion facilitates free movement for over 425 million people and strengthens the EU.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Area
After a 13-year application process, Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, eliminating border controls following a December 12, 2024, EU Council decision. The move is expected to significantly benefit both countries' economies, addressing annual losses estimated at €834 m...
Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Area
After a 13-year application process, Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, eliminating border controls following a December 12, 2024, EU Council decision. The move is expected to significantly benefit both countries' economies, addressing annual losses estimated at €834 m...
Progress
36% Bias Score
Schengen Area Under Strain from Increased Border Controls
The Schengen Area, celebrating its 40th anniversary in June 2025, faces challenges as internal border controls surge to record highs due to increased migration, creating tension among member states and jeopardizing the future of free movement within the EU.
Schengen Area Under Strain from Increased Border Controls
The Schengen Area, celebrating its 40th anniversary in June 2025, faces challenges as internal border controls surge to record highs due to increased migration, creating tension among member states and jeopardizing the future of free movement within the EU.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Area in 2025
On December 12, 2024, the EU approved Bulgaria and Romania's full Schengen Area membership, starting January 1, 2025, after Austria dropped its veto based on a new border security agreement addressing migration concerns.
Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Area in 2025
On December 12, 2024, the EU approved Bulgaria and Romania's full Schengen Area membership, starting January 1, 2025, after Austria dropped its veto based on a new border security agreement addressing migration concerns.
Progress
36% Bias Score