Austria has announced it will remove its longstanding blockade on Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen membership, paving the way for their full accession to the border-free Schengen Area by spring 2025.
The breakthrough comes after years of political friction within the European Union, as Austria cited security concerns and migration pressures to justify its holdout.
A meeting scheduled for November 22 in Budapest, hosted by Hungary under its EU presidency, is expected to finalize the path forward.
Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner will join his Romanian and Bulgarian counterparts to negotiate a series of actions required before Schengen integration can be fully realized.
Senior officials in Bucharest remain hopeful that the spring target will be met, marking an end to nearly a decade of delay since both nations first fulfilled technical requirements for Schengen entry.
Romania and Bulgaria have made “extraordinary progress” in securing the EU’s external borders and ensuring the swift return of illegal migrants, according to Austrian authorities.
The interior ministry has acknowledged both nations’ recent efforts, which were key to the shift in Austria’s stance.
Austrian Finance Minister Magnus Brunner, speaking to the European Parliament, highlighted the “substantial and sustained” measures Romania and Bulgaria have enacted to fortify their borders, expressing confidence that their inclusion in the Schengen Area is now imminent.
The European Commissioner for Migration has long supported Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen ambitions.
Brunner emphasized that their accession aligns with the EU’s broader migration reform strategy, which prioritizes reinforced border security and streamlined migration management.
Support for the two countries’ Schengen bid is also echoed by Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a vocal advocate of their accession.
Orbán noted that, as Hungary currently holds the EU presidency, his administration is committed to advancing Romania and Bulgaria’s membership.
The November 22 Budapest meeting, he said, will be pivotal in detailing the final commitments necessary to close this chapter.
Despite Austria’s softened stance, the final decision requires unanimous consent from all EU member states. The upcoming vote will therefore be crucial, as just one dissenting vote could delay the accession process.
In Romania, the timing of Austria’s reversal may hold domestic political significance, as the decision to advance toward Schengen entry aligns with the nation’s November 24 presidential election.
With a pro-European candidate leading in the polls, the Schengen breakthrough could bolster support for Romania’s integration with European structures.
Austria’s previous opposition to Romania and Bulgaria’s membership was seen by some as a national security measure, while critics argued it was a political maneuver intended to sway Austrian voters ahead of national elections.
Observers have noted that Austria’s Schengen veto cost the country goodwill across Europe, as it distanced itself from allies over migration and security issues.
The November meeting in Budapest is set to formally outline the final requirements and timeline for Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen integration, bringing both nations closer to unrestricted movement within Europe’s borderless travel zone.