EC urges that Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia be immediately admitted to Schengen

The European Commission urged EU member states to take the necessary decisions without further delay to allow Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia to fully participate in the Schengen area.

According to Brussels, these Member States have contributed significantly to the smooth functioning of the Schengen area over the years, including during the pandemic and more recently when faced with the unprecedented consequences of the war in Ukraine.

The European Commission believes that, although the three countries are already partly bound by Schengen rules, internal border controls have not been abolished with them and they cannot enjoy all the benefits that come from being part of the Schengen area without internal border controls.

In its analysis, the Commission says Bulgaria has put in place strong border management with effective border surveillance and systematic border checks. The fight against cross-border crime is a priority through international police cooperation, including with Europol. The Schengen Information System is well established. Bulgaria has also shown that it has the necessary structures in place to ensure respect for fundamental rights, guaranteeing access to international protection, respecting the principle of non-refoulement.

The Commission recalls that Bulgaria and Romania successfully completed the Schengen evaluation process in 2011. The Council has acknowledged the completion of the evaluation process in two separate Council conclusions, but no Council decision on the abolition of internal borders has been taken for more than 11 years.

The Commission underlines that this year Bulgaria and Romania have voluntarily invited a team of experts under the coordination of the Commission to examine the implementation of the latest developments of the Schengen rules.

This voluntary fact-finding mission, which took place in October 2022, confirmed that Bulgaria and Romania have not only continued to implement the new rules and instruments, but have also significantly strengthened the overall implementation of the Schengen architecture in all its dimensions. Moreover, these two countries have shown that they have an exemplary track record in implementing the Schengen rules, says the Commission's Communication.

The decision to admit the three countries to Schengen is to be taken on 8 December at a meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers.