On January 1, the Eastern European countries of Bulgaria and Romania officially lifted land border controls with other neighboring Schengen Area countries, fully joining the Schengen Area. The interior ministers of both countries held a ceremony on the evening of December 31, 2024, at the Rousse-Giurgiu land border crossing connecting the two countries to celebrate joining the Schengen Area. Similar celebratory ceremonies were held at several other land border crossings.