Romania’s accession to the Schengen area of the European Union this year meant a two-way increase in traffic free from internal border controls: spa tourism in Hungary and shopping tourism in Romania increased in January, according to Kronika.
Ernő Görgényi, Mayor of Gyula, talked about whether the spa town’s foreign tourism – where Romanians had been visiting with pleasure even before Schengen entry – had felt the effects of the newly-introduced free border passage. „For now, we only have the visitor numbers of the Gyula Castle Bath available. Based on this, we can see that the spa received the highest number of January visitors of the past decade. Compared to last year’s very strong January ticket count, there was a 22 percent increase, which we can clearly attribute to the Schengen accession. The number of Romanian guests increased the most,” Ernő Görgényi told Krónika at the time.
Since then, official Hungarian statistical data has also been published, which was reported by the Békés Vármegyei Hírportál (Békés County News Portal) beol.hu: According to this, in January 2025, the number of foreign guests increased the most in Gyula and its region – by 50 percent. The number of domestic (Hungarian) guests also increased the most in Gyula and its region, by 16 percent. But not only the number and proportion of foreign and domestic visitors, but also the number of foreign guest nights increased the most in Gyula and its region, by 45 percent, compared to the same month of the previous year. Today, it is no longer a big deal to look out at Romania from Hungary.
Aliz Komoróczki, managing director of Gyula Tourism Nonprofit Ltd., told beol.hu about the reasons for the results: „Gyula and its region offers a year-round destination, with numerous high-quality activities awaiting guests and tourists in every season. (…) In line with the program offering, hotel guests can also take advantage of high-quality services at the accommodations. Guests are provided with activities and gastronomic experiences that make rest and relaxation attractive even in winter. The reason for the large increase in foreign traffic has clearly been the opening of the Schengen border. It is now much faster and easier to cross the border for our most important source of tourists from Romania, shortening the duration of the trip and reducing the “tensions” associated with the excursion.”
Romania’s accession to the Schengen zone has made life doubly easier for those living along the Romanian-Hungarian border: the elimination of regular checks not only means faster border crossings, but the availability of side roads (previously only open for limited amounts of time) for crossing the border offering alternative routes, thus shortening not only the travel time but also the distance. The border crossing between Dombegyház in Békés County, Hungary and Variașu Mic in Arad County, Romania has been freely usable since January 1st of this year, and thus the distance between Dombegyház and Arad has been reduced to 19 kilometers (until 2025, the trip was nearly 40 km via the Battonya-Tornya border crossing).
Even before Schengen accession – when the Variașu Mic border crossing was only open on Saturdays – it was possible to meet Hungarians living near the border who regularly travelled to Arad to do their shopping. Lajos Krista, a resident of Dombegyháza, said in a previous report that he usually does his shopping every two weeks because basic groceries are usually cheaper in Romanian supermarkets, and there are other products that cost less than in Hungary due to the lower VAT. The residents of the micro-region have been waiting for the free use of the route between Iermata Neagră in Arad County and Dénesmajor in Békés County since 2012. From January 1st of this year, this route has been very clearly made use of. “There is even traffic at night,” Róbert Téglás, deputy mayor of the Zerind municipality (under whose administration Iermata Neagră belongs to), told Krónika.
As he put it, the end of border stops has made things much easier for those living in the area. „The distance from the center of Zerind to the center of Gyula is 25 kilometers. Up until 2025, from Gyulavarsánd (Vărșand), it was almost 50. A lot of people from Zerind have moved to Gyula, Sarkad or Doboz, and it is now easier for them to visit their homes,” the deputy mayor said.
Tourists from Hungary mainly visit Romania for the shopping In the parking lot of a supermarket in Pecica, Arad County, last Saturday, a correspondent from the Agerpres national news agency of Romania counted 11 cars with Hungarian license plates out of 40; in other words, a quarter of the customers came from across the border. Residents mainly come to Pecica from Battonya to shop (including the original residents, not just those who moved out of Arad County in the past fifteen years due to lower real estate prices).
Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area marks a significant milestone in its European integration journey, bringing numerous benefits to the country and its citizens. This development, effective from January 1, 2025, has far-reaching implications for Romania’s economy, mobility, and regional standing.
Economic Advantages
Joining the Schengen Area eliminates border checks for goods and people, significantly reducing delays and transportation costs. This change enhances the efficiency of trade, making Romanian products more competitive in European markets. The seamless movement of goods is expected to attract foreign investment, stimulate job creation, and boost the overall economic environment. Additionally, businesses can expand their operations more effectively, benefiting from improved access to the broader European market.
Mobility and Social Benefits
For Romanian citizens, Schengen membership allows for unrestricted travel across member states without the need for border checks. This facilitates tourism, cultural exchange, and personal mobility, making it easier for Romanians to explore opportunities in education, work, and leisure. The removal of administrative barriers also simplifies processes such as obtaining work and residence permits in other Schengen countries.
Regional and Political Impact
Romania’s inclusion in the Schengen Area strengthens its position within the European Union, symbolising trust and acceptance within the European community. It also enhances regional security through harmonised border controls at the Schengen Area’s external borders. This development underscores Romania’s commitment to European values and its role as a reliable partner in the EU.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the benefits are substantial, Romania must continue to address challenges such as ensuring the security of its external borders and maintaining compliance with Schengen regulations. These efforts will be crucial in maximising the advantages of membership and contributing to the stability of the Schengen Area.
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