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Bulgaria And Romania Join Schengen Free-travel Area On January 1st 2025

Romania's Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu talks to a border police officer at the Bulgarian-Romanian Danube Bridge border checkpoint after the two countries' full Schengen area accession on January 1, 2025. The border checkpoint barrier at the Danube Bridge is symbolically raised at 12:01 am, marking the full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen zone after a 13-year wait. (Photo by Denislav Stoychev/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#11907950
Date Taken	1 January 2025
Location	N/A
Photographer	Denislav Stoychev/NurPhoto
Category	Politics
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Denislav Stoychev/NurPhoto

Romania Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu border police officer Bulgarian-Romanian Danube Bridge border checkpoint Schengen area accession January 1st 2025 barrier symbolically raised 12:01 am full membership Bulgaria Romania Schengen zone 13-year wait Denislav Stoychev NurPhoto membership Schengen zone wait photo border checkpoint bridge officer minister membership accession.