The Austrian government has agreed to discuss in 2024 the abolition of checks for Bulgarian and Romanian citizens at the land borders of the Schengen area, provided that Bulgaria and Romania fulfill 5 conditions. This was written in a statement to the decision of the European Council of December 29 to open the Schengen air and sea borders for both countries. The two-page document was published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Austria says it wants the European border agency to have at least 3 times more presence on the Bulgarian-Turkish border. "Frontex" should also strengthen its presence on the Bulgarian-Serbian border, while the European Commission should finance the purchase of off-road vehicles, drones and surveillance systems. Strengthening of border control between Bulgaria and Romania is also requested. Sofia and Bucharest agree on full implementation of the Dublin Regulation on migrants. Unannounced checks are allowed at Austrian airports for those arriving from Bulgaria and Romania. Vienna also insists on a general discussion in the EU about the functioning of the Schengen area.