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Croatia set to join passport-free Schengen zone - but what about Bulgaria and Romania?

Croatia set to join passport-free Schengen zone - but what about Bulgaria and Romania?
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Thursday, 08 December, 2022, 18:24

Europe's passport-free travel zone looks set to welcome Croatia but bar Romania and Bulgaria.

EU countries will today vote on whether or not to admit the three nations to the so-called Schengen zone - a pact between countries to abolish border checks for those travelling between their territories.

Croatia is likely to receive unanimous support from the 26 Schengen member states.
However, Austria is likely to block Romania and Bulgaria, citing a lack of preparedness.

"We need more time," Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said earlier this week. "At the moment, we have 75,000 unregistered illegal migrants in Austria - meaning they have crossed an external EU border and made it to Austria. This needs to be solved first."