Bulgaria and Romania have fully joined the Schengen area after more than 13 years of waiting.

The European Union’s decision for Bulgaria and Romania to fully join the Schengen area for visa-free travel between the bloc’s countries came into effect on Wednesday.

EU interior ministers made the decision at their meeting in the Belgian capital Brussels on December 12.
Bulgaria and Romania were also included in the Schengen area by land, bringing the total to 29 countries.

On 31 March, the two countries joined the European Union’s free travel zone by sea and air.

Bulgaria and Romania faced opposition from the Netherlands, Hungary and Austria in the process of joining the Schengen area.