Communication on the monitoring of the EU’s visa free regimes

Summary:

Communication adopted by the European Commission on 30 May 2023, focusing on the monitoring of the European Union's (EU) visa-free travel regimes and launching a consultation process.

Further information:

Under the EU's visa-free regime, nationals from third countries can enter the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. It is also based on the principle of visa reciprocity. It benefits citizens on both sides, and it strengthens relations between the EU and its partners.

While the visa-free travel brings significant economic, social and cultural benefits, the common EU visa policy is also an integral part of the Schengen acquis. One of its core objectives is to address security and irregular migration risks for the Schengen area. Nevertheless, the European Commission still identifies significant migration and security challenges arising from the visa-free travel. These include insufficient visa alignment, overstays by visa-free travellers or unfounded asylum applications, and investor citizenship schemes. Geopolitical events have added to those challenges.

This Communication argues for the re-assessment and improvement of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 - also known as the Visa Regulation - and in particular its Article 8 concerning the so-called Visa Suspension Mechanism.

• Primary Source

Official

European Commission: Migration and Home Affairs: Visa Policy https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy_en

European Commission: Press Release, 30/05/2023: Visa policy: Strengthening monitoring of the EU's visa free regimes https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_2951

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