Romania Carries Over 260k Border Controls in 1st Month of Full Schengen Membership

Over 260,000 border controls were carried out in Romania by border police officers in the first month of Bucharest’s full membership to the Schengen Zone.

Through a statement, the Romanian border police said that in January 2025, about 140 crimes and over 100 offences were recorded, Schengen.News reports. 

The frontier checks were carried out randomly within 30 km of the border.

According to border police, at ITPF Sighetu Marmației – PF Satu Mare, there were eight crimes as well as five infractions, while the Coast Guard registered 13 crimes and 24 infractions, seizing 600 cigarettes.

According to a recent report from Romanian Border Police, on February 1, 2025, alone, border guards at the country’s external borders carried out border crossing formalities for nearly 61,600 travellers as well as 14,400 vehicles. On the entry, they checked a total of 30,627 people. 

One Month of Full Schengen Accession 
From January 1, 2025, Romania, together with Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen Zone. 

The decision came following the approval of the European Union ministers to allow full membership for Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area from January 1, 2025. It was confirmed during the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council that was held on December 12, 2024.

Both Balkan countries entered the Schengen Zone partially, by air and sea, on March 31, 2024, however not also through land borders, as they were kept in place. 

The full Schengen accession for these two countries has brought several benefits for both countries. 

However, it has also brought some new challenges. Authorities in Bulgaria recently reported that they are struggling to hire foreign workers, following full membership to the EU’s passport-free travel zone.

Source: https://schengen.news/romania-carries-over-260k-border-controls-in-1st-month-of-full-schengen-membership/