The long-awaited expansion of the Schengen Zone will provide a new impetus for the integration process between Romania and Hungary, which has been ongoing for several decades.
The removal of checks at the Romanian-Hungarian border starting January 1 will facilitate the movement of residents from both countries.
The mayor of the Hungarian town of Biharkeresztúr, Béla Péter Danyi, noted that many residents from the neighboring country have already acquired property here, which, according to him, positively impacts the local economy.
"It is important for us that so many people have moved here. Some have bought houses and are considering putting down roots. Of course, some just come here for work, while others enroll their children in kindergartens or schools in Oradea, but many live their everyday lives here," the official remarked.
Buying a house in Hungary is much cheaper than in Romania
Although most people moving to Biharkeresztúr are Hungarians, it is not uncommon to find property listings in both Hungarian and Romanian languages.
"For 15,000 euros, you can buy a 250-square-meter house on a plot of half a hectare. Of course, it needs renovation. In Hungary, all of this will cost half as much, and the difference is that we lack infrastructure here, while it is already built there, with sewage and electricity available," explains realtor Éva Kallai.
Of course, the opening of the border may lead to a rise in prices throughout the border area, but many locals are counting the days until all restrictions are lifted.
"This should have happened long ago; it was time for us to join the Schengen Zone. This opens up many opportunities, especially economic ones. Personally, I am particularly glad that I won't have to wait long at the border," says Romanian student Adrian.
Hungarians are not after square meters; they are more interested in cheap products and gasoline
Unlike Romanians, Hungarians are not coming for cheaper real estate but for shopping or to refuel. Just a few kilometers from the border, near Oradea, there is a large shopping center where many cars with Hungarian license plates are parked.
The European Commission announced back in 2011 that Romania was ready to join Schengen, but its accession was blocked by Austria.
At the end of November, during a meeting in Budapest, the veto was finally lifted.