Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of the Schengen Area that allows free movement of 420 million people between 29 mostly European Union countries without border checks from Jan. 1, the EU said Thursday.

Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of Europe'sSchengen free-travel area from next month, swelling the number of nations to 29, the EU said on Thursday. Checks at land borders with Bulgaria and Romania will stop from Jan.

Access comes as both countries face domestic political turmoil and the zone is jeopardised by new border controls

Bulgaria is set to enter a new chapter in tourism with its upcoming membership in the land Schengen area, effective January 1, 2025. The role of media and the communication approach were highlighted as essential components of the Bulgarian tourism industry during the forum "BG Tourism - Winter 2024/2025.

Bulgaria and Romania, EU members since 2007, have finally secured full access to the Schengen Area after years of opposition from several member states, particularly Austria, which has long cited concerns about migration and illegal entries.

The European Council concluded on December 10 that Bulgaria and Romania fulfill the essential criteria for complete accession to the Schengen Area.

Austria is dropping its veto on Romania and Bulgaria becoming full members of Europe's Schengen free-travel area, its interior ministry said on Monday, paving the way for European Union interior ministers to approve the move at a meeting on Thursday.

It’s a great victory for Bulgaria, Romania, all of Europe, says Hungarian Presidency of EU Council - Anadolu Ajansı

Romania and Bulgaria will gain full access to the European Union’s passport-free area next year, following a grueling, nearly two-decade push that will help boost their struggling economies.