The borderless area's expansion to 29 members comes after the two eastern European countries were partially included in the Schengen zone in March, eliminating border checks at ports and airports.

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 Schengen area now covers 25 of the 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Ireland and Cyprus are not members of the Schengen zone.

The expansion of Schengen came after months of efforts to integrate Bulgaria and Romania into the zone by Hungary's government as it held the six-month rotating presidency of the EU. Some 1 ...

Joining Europe’s Schengen zone is a “key priority” for Cyprus’ government, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Friday. Speaking after a meeting with European Commissioner for ...

DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP BUCHAREST — 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 ...

The expansion of Schengen came after months of efforts to integrate Bulgaria and Romania into the zone by Hungary’s government as it held the six-month rotating presidency of the EU. Some 1 ...