Romania and Bulgaria will gain full access to the European Union’s passport-free area next year, following a grueling, nearly two-decade push that will help boost their struggling economies.

The Netherlands has officially given the green light to the full admission of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area following a vote in the Dutch Parliament to endorse the government's recent decision in this regard,

Romania and Bulgaria will be fully integrated into the Schengen area from January 1, 2025. The EU interior ministers said yes to enlargement in Brussels on Thursday, in line with the Hungarian Council Presidency.

Access comes as both countries face domestic political turmoil and the zone is jeopardised by new border controls

The Netherlands remains in favor of lifting European border controls with Bulgaria and Romania. Asylum and Migration Minister Marjolein Faber, the Cabinet member responsible for this policy, is ignoring a last attempt from her own party,

Austria is dropping its veto on Romania and Bulgaria becoming full members of Europe's Schengen free-travel area, its interior ministry said on Monday, paving the way for European Union interior ministers to approve the move at a meeting on Thursday.

The Schengen Area is set to expand as Romania and Bulgaria gain full membership. How will this historic decision impact Europe’s borderless travel zone and the EU economy?

Austria has withdrawn its opposition to Romania and Bulgaria becoming full members of Europe's Schengen free-travel area, the country's interior minister Gerhard Karner announced. This decision clears the way for European Union interior ministers to approve the move at their meeting on Thursday,