Continued Airport Checks for Romanians Despite Schengen Membership

Romanian travelers continue to face rigorous airport checks even after Romania joined the Schengen Area.

Romanian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have expressed concerns over discriminatory practices. MEP Eugen Tomac described the checks by Austrian border police in Vienna as abusive. He emphasized that while random checks are acceptable, targeting all Romanian passengers violates Schengen regulations. MEP Vlad Gheorghe reported similar issues at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport and suspects coordinated efforts targeting Romanians at airports in Germany and Austria. This situation raises questions about the consistent application of Schengen rules and the need for better alignment of immigration policies across the EU. Romanian officials plan to challenge these practices through official channels, calling for evidence from affected travelers to support their complaints. This underscores ongoing tensions within the Schengen zone and the difficulties in ensuring fair treatment for all travelers.