Romania and Bulgaria join the EU's visa-free Schengen zone

Romania and Bulgaria officially joined the EU's visa-free Schengen zone on January 1 despite having been European Union members since 2007. Their delayed accession to the now 29-nation zone had been blocked by Austria over migration concerns.

Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen zone on Wednesday, expanding the borderless area to 29 members and ending a 13-year wait for the two eastern European countries.

The expansion, made possible when Austria and other members dropped their objections to the former communist countries joining, officially took place at midnight (2200 GMT) on January 1, marked by ceremonies at various border posts.

Romania and Bulgaria, both members of the European Union since 2007, were partially included in the Schengen zone in March, eliminating border checks at ports and airports.

But Austria had threatened to veto their full entry over migration concerns, which meant that controls still applied at land border crossings.

Romania and Bulgaria had met the Schengen zone's technical requirements for membership since 2011.

"We'd been waiting impatiently."

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