The European Parliament has approved a reform of the mechanism that allows the suspension of visa-free travel for citizens of third countries that pose a security risk or violate human rights.
The measure affects the 61 countries whose nationals can currently travel to the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). With this reform, the European Union (EU) expands the grounds on which visa exemption can be suspended, including hybrid threats, citizenship-by-investment schemes (“golden passports”), lack of alignment with EU visa policy, and breaches of international law or human rights.
The new rules will also allow targeted suspensions for government officials responsible for serious violations, ensuring that state representatives are not shielded from accountability.
You can access the full text approved by the European Parliament (in English) below:
So far, visa-free access has been revoked only once — in the case of Vanuatu, due to security concerns related to its investor citizenship programme.
With this reform, the European Union reinforces its commitment to human rights, security, and the rule of law, while maintaining the credibility and coherence of its visa policy.
⏺️ List of visa-exempt countries
Consult the full list of countries whose nationals are currently exempt from a visa requirement for short stays in the Schengen Area:
⏺️ Next steps
The text was approved by the European Parliament with 518 votes in favour, 96 against, and 24 abstentions. It must now be formally ratified by the Council of the European Union and will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the EU Official Journal.
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Prefer to read this article in Spanish 🇪🇸? You can find it here: La UE refuerza el mecanismo para suspender la exención de visado
The information provided in this article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the content, immigration regulations are subject to change and interpretation by the relevant authorities. For personalised and up-to-date guidance, we recommend consulting an immigration lawyer.