EU member states approved Croatia’s entry into the Schengen area. On Thursday, December 8, the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrei Plenkovic, announced on social media that the move had unanimous support from the Home Affairs and Justice Council. He stated that Croatia would join the Schengen Agreement from January 1, 2023.
Representatives from the Czech Republic confirmed the decision, noting that thanks to the Czech Presidency, Schengen will expand for the first time in more than a decade. Ministers agreed to Croatia’s membership starting January 1, 2023.
Applications from Romania and Bulgaria were not approved at this time, with a postponement of their decision. Dutch and Austrian authorities did not back Bulgaria, arguing that the country has not yet met all conditions for joining Schengen.
Vienna’s position, explained by Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, did not support Sofia and Bucharest due to rising illegal border crossings. European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, however, expressed disappointment and argued that Bulgaria and Romania deserve to enter Schengen after a long wait.
On November 16, the European Commission announced that Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia were ready to join Schengen and recommended that the European Council approve the decision.
In the European Parliament, maintaining border controls has been described as discriminatory against Bulgarian and Romanian citizens, as it complicates movement for workers across EU member states and hinders the exchange of goods and services within the single market.
Currently, the Schengen area encompasses 26 territories with a unified border-control system: 22 EU states plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Earlier, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer indicated a desire to delay the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen until autumn 2023, citing concerns about the growing flow of unauthorized migrants into Austria.
Restore the tourist flow
Officials have suggested that Croatia’s entry could ease visa restrictions and help revive tourism. The head of the Russian Council on International Relations noted that reducing visa hurdles after Croatia joins Schengen may boost tourist travel. He also emphasized that while the Schengen framework sets common standards, each member state retains control over its own visa policy.
The road to Schengen
Romania and Bulgaria have pursued Schengen membership since 2011, a longer timeline than Croatia’s path.
Bulgaria had faced retaliation concerns from Sofia, prompting Romania to warn about the potential rise of Euroscepticism across the region. Both countries joined the EU in 2007 and began applying for Schengen membership in 2011.
Support in Western Europe shifted in recent years, with leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz contributing to a more favorable view of enlargement. Nonetheless, the question of Bulgaria and Romania’s access to Schengen remained unresolved for some time. Critics have pointed to corruption and organized crime as reasons for prior resistance, a sentiment reflected in longstanding ranking assessments. While perspectives vary, the overall trajectory suggested by recent developments indicates a continued debate about the pace and scope of Schengen expansion.