The European Union Council has officially confirmed that Bulgaria and Romania will join the Schengen area with their land borders effective January 1, 2025.

This decision follows an agreement reached on November 22, 2024, in Budapest among Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Austria regarding Bulgaria's accession.

As a result of this accession, Bulgaria and Romania will become external borders of the Schengen area, leading to random border controls for six months to address potential security threats from migration changes.

Beginning on the accession date, systematic travel document checks will cease at Romania's borders with Bulgaria and Hungary, allowing for free movement, although checks based on risk analysis will still be implemented.

The Danube Bridge crossing between Vidin and Calafat will continue its operations as usual, including toll collection, while implementing partial border checks based on risk analysis during the first six months of 2025.

At the Danube Bridge in Ruse, no major infrastructure changes are anticipated post-accession, but 5-10% of vehicles leaving Bulgaria will be subject to checks for illegal migration.

At the 'Oriahovo' crossing, automated systems will be introduced to facilitate real-time vehicle and passenger control, with a gradual removal of border checks expected by June 2025.

In the Silistra region, two border crossing points, 'Silistra-Călărași' and 'Kainarja-Lipnița', will adhere to European regulations while maintaining selective checks for six months after accession.

Similarly, three border crossings in Dobrich—'Kardam', 'Durankulak', and 'Severnjak'—will operate under European rules, continuing selective checks for six months.

To combat illegal activities, border police will conduct random checks within 30 kilometers from the border in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, as stated by Alexandra Găvan, head of the Romanian Border Police's Information Center.

Preparations for Bulgaria's Schengen accession have been actively discussed in Plevna, with plans for vehicle inspection areas near the Nikopol ferry complex.

In a related move, on December 18, 2024, the Bulgarian government announced temporary controls at the Bulgarian-Romanian border and suspended operations at border crossings with Romania and Greece.