The Council of the European Union adopted a decision to lift checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2025. Bulgaria and Romania will so become full Schengen members.

On 31 March 2024, Bulgaria and Romania become Schengen members: the Schengen rules will apply in both Member States including on issuing Schengen visas and controls at the internal air and sea borders will be lifted. Discussions on a date for a possible lifting of the checks on persons at internal land borders will continue in 2024.