Overall, the lifting of border controls is expected to enhance trade efficiency, with Romania anticipating a 2% increase in trade volume as a result.

The European Council has officially lifted internal land border controls with Romania and Bulgaria, marking their full entry into the Schengen area.

Current Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov hailed this decision as a significant political victory, attributing it to the anti-corruption measures implemented by his government.

Critics, including Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen, have labeled Austria's previous veto against Schengen accession as a diplomatic misstep driven by domestic political pressures.

Austria's government had previously opposed the Schengen entry, partly to garner support from far-right voters amid electoral challenges.

Despite the lifting of border controls, Austria has indicated that internal checks will remain in place as long as migration numbers are high, emphasizing the need for effective EU external border protection.

Random checks on vehicles and individuals will continue as necessary, with a focus on maintaining a significant reduction in migration pressure.

Concerns persist regarding Bulgaria's treatment of migrants, with NGOs reporting nearly 10,000 pushbacks in 2023, raising alarms about human rights violations.

Both Romania and Bulgaria have faced scrutiny over their border security practices and the handling of migrants and refugees.

Discussions are ongoing regarding reforms to Schengen governance and the Pact on Migration and Asylum to address the challenges posed by the new border controls.

Denkov emphasized the importance of combating misinformation about illegal migration, countering fears that Bulgaria would be overwhelmed by migrants following its Schengen membership.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the integration of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area via a social media announcement.