Bulgaria and Romania have received permission to join the Schengen Area, a passport- and visa-free zone in Europe, starting in March. At initially, it will apply only to air and sea travellers.
Austria, which had previously blocked the two countries’ Schengen entry due to concerns about illegal immigration, has agreed in principle to their inclusion. Ongoing negotiations will focus on land border checks.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu confirmed the entry into the travel zone, stated that efforts would continue for full membership in the Schengen Area, and that the lifting of air and sea borders in 2024 is a result of long negotiations.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has expressed his desire that Ireland should join the Shenghen area when issues with the Northern Ireland border are resolved.
