Europe's passport-free travel zone will be welcoming Croatia but Romania and Bulgaria have been left outside.EU countries today voted on whether or not to admit the three nations into the so-called Schengen zone - a pact between countries to abolish border checks for those travelling between their territories.Croatia received unanimous support from the 26 Schengen member states.However, Austria blocked Romania and Bulgaria, citing a lack of preparedness.
The Netherlands supported Romania's bid but opposed Bulgaria's."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."Croatia will also start using the euro from January 2023. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning a trip to the country next year.Croatia has been part of the European Union since 2013, and Romania and Bulgaria since 2007.
But until now none of them have been part of the Schengen zone.This means that a passport or identity card has been required to enter these countries, even when arriving from a country in the Schengen area.It currently encompasses 26 countries, including 22 EU member states, and almost 420 million citizens.From January 1, 2023, Croatia will lift its border controls with other Schengen countries. Romania and Bulgaria have been waiting over a decade for confirmation.Today, the Netherlands voted against Bulgaria's accession bid over what it calls unaddressed rule-of-law concerns and pending pieces of legislation to tackle corruption and organised crime.Bulgaria, which has had a caretaker government since August, challenged these claims