Following Romania’s upcoming accession into the Schengen Area on March 31st, Austria will provide specialized document authentication officers to assist local authorities at Bucharest’s international airport.
The collaboration aims to enhance security measures and streamline identity checks for travelers entering the borderless Schengen zone.
Reinforced Security and Expert Assistance
According to Catalin Predoiu, Romania’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Austrian officers with expertise in identifying fraudulent documents will guide Romanian border police in validating travel papers.
Additionally, the European border agency Frontex will deploy 2,000 officers to bolster security along Romania and Bulgaria’s borders.
While highlighting the gradual nature of Romania’s Schengen integration process, Minister Predoiu referenced Austria’s own phased entry, emphasizing that this experience of staged accession is not unique.
Ongoing Negotiations for Full Integration
After an 11-year wait, Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen area on December 30th for air and maritime borders.
Further discussions in 2024 will focus on fully removing internal land border controls, although no target timeline has been confirmed between Bucharest, Sofia, Vienna, and Brussels.
New Border Rules Impact Travelers and Immigrants
The phased Schengen integration introduces new passport and security checks that will impact visitors and immigrants entering Romania.
Once launched in 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will require pre-travel clearance for visa-exempt visitors, adding another layer of screening.
The tightened border controls could mean more scrutiny and longer waits for families, students, and digital nomads traveling to Romania for long-term stays.
However, officials maintain that the bolstered security measures will ultimately enable faster identity verification and access for approved travelers.
Effects on the EU’s Immigration Policy Approach
Romania’s collaboration with Austria also signals the EU’s immigration policy aim of balancing security with facilitating authorized travel.
While the new ETIAS system and deployment of Frontex officers will restrict unlawful entry, EU citizens will continue to benefit from visa-free Schengen access.
Phasing in integration for newer member states enables a transition towards this unified balance of security and authorized mobility across the EU.
Once Bulgaria and Romania achieve full Schengen integration, it will mark another milestone in the EU’s path towards harmonized internal immigration policies and borderless travel.
Next Steps Towards Seamless Travel
While Romania still faces negotiations to fully join the borderless Schengen area, the deployment of document authentication experts and reinforced security officers demonstrates progress towards integration.
Officials emphasize that this phased accession approach is not uncommon for new member states.
The additional support at Bucharest’s airport aims to smooth the transition for travelers as Romania and Austria collaborate on enhancing security and identity verification measures.
Further discussions will determine timelines for removing remaining internal land border checks, achieving Romania’s goal of seamless travel across the Schengen zone.