Austria has long stood in the way of Romania and Bulgaria's full membership in the EU's prized zone of free movement. That appears to finally be changing.

Hungarian officials say Bulgaria and Romania could become full members of Europe’s Schengen travel zone starting at the beginning of 2025.

This development comes after years of partial inclusion for the two Balkan nations, which joined the European Union in 2007 but only gained limited access to the Schengen Area in March 2023

Bulgaria and Romania are one step away from full membership in the Schengen Area, the European Union's borderless travel zone

Including Romania and Bulgaria enhances the connectivity and unity of the Schengen Area, benefiting not only travellers but also European businesses and local economies. The move promises to boost tourism and strengthen cross-border relations across Europe by simplifying travel and trade routes.

Romania and Bulgaria may become full members of Europe's borderless Schengen travel zone in January 2025, Hungary said on Friday, adding a final decision would be made at next month's meeting of EU interior ministers.

Thanks to the support of Hungary in the European Union, Romania is ready to enter the Schengen zone from January 1, 2025, Azernews

Austria has dropped its long-standing veto to Bulgaria and Romania joining the passport free Schengen zone, opening the door to their accession next year.

Romania and Bulgaria will fully join Europe's open-borders Schengen area from January 2025 after a crucial meeting in neighbouring Hungary on Friday, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday.

By Denitsa Koseva in Sofia Austria agreed on November 22 to lift its veto on the full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen zone as of January next year, the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union said in a statement.