Austria will drop its veto on Bulgaria and Romania’s full entry into the Schengen Area, the country’s interior ministry confirmed on Monday.
This decision clears the final hurdle for the European Union (EU) interior ministers’ approval of both countries’ full Schengen membership, expected at a meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
According to Austrian broadcaster ORF, the interior ministry stated it would no longer “stand in the way” of Bulgaria and Romania’s full accession. Last year, the European Council approved their partial entry, removing border controls at air and sea ports since March.
With their anticipated full membership, land border controls will also be lifted.
Austria had previously opposed their full accession due to concerns over illegal immigration along the Balkan route. However, joint border protection efforts by Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary since the end of 2023 have resulted in a significant decline in illegal border crossings, prompting Austria’s shift in stance, ORF reported.