On Thursday, the EU confirmed that Croatia will join the Schengen Area from January 1, 2023. However, Romania and Bulgaria’s bid to join have been blocked.
Ministers from the 27 EU nations voted on expanding the Schengen visa-free zone to include Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia, which requires unanimous approval.
However, Romania and Bulgaria’s bid to join the zone were opposed by Austria, due to concerns over organized crime, unauthorized migration and security.
This year, Austria reported the arrival of over 100,000 unauthorized migrants, stating “I think it is wrong that a system that does not work in many places should be enlarged.”
In 2007, Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU bloc and have attempted to join the Schengen zone for years. Croatia joined the EU in 2013.
