Justice and Home Affairs Council: Bulgaria and Romania becoming fully part of Schengen

Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner and Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, attended the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on 12 - 13 December in Brussels.

The Council has adopted a decision to lift internal land borders controls with and between Bulgaria and Romania as of 1 January 2025. This important step completes the full entry of both countries into the Schengen area. It will further strengthen the internal market, increase travel, trade and tourism.  

Ministers also discussed the state of the Schengen area and exchanged views on the implementation of the priorities of the annual Schengen Council cycle, focusing on increasing overall security and protection of external borders through digitalisation.

The Commission and eu-LISA briefed Member States on the way forward for starting operations for Europe’s new digital border system - the Entry/Exit System (EES). The Commission informed about its proposal for a progressive start of operations of EES, published on 4 December.

Discussions also focused on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Member States confirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the Pact by the legal deadlines and appreciated the Commission’s support in the process and reported on the preparation of their own national implementation plans.

During the Council, the incoming Polish presidency of the Council of the EU presented its work programme. Poland intends to focus on security, citizen protection, and responses to evolving crime threats, including combating cybercrime and child sexual abuse.

Find out more:

Press Conference – 12 December

Statement by the European Commission on the occasion of Bulgaria and Romania becoming fully part of Schengen