Croatia to join Schengen zone, but Romania and Bulgaria kept out

Two refused countries will try again after Austria raised concerns about unauthorised immigration

Croatia has been given the green light to join Europe's open travel zone, but Bulgaria and Romania were kept out because of opposition led by Austria over concerns about unauthorised immigration.

Croatia was cleared to become the Schengen zone's 27th member after talks between the bloc's interior ministers in Brussels. From 2023, people will not have to stop for border checks as they pass between Croatia and the rest of the zone.