EU Moves to Tighten Rules on Visa-Free Travel Amid Concerns Over Migration and Security

In a significant development for global mobility, the European Union Council and Parliament have reached a provisional agreement to revise the current rules governing visa-free travel to the Schengen Area.

Approved on June 17, 2025, the amended legislation introduces stricter conditions that could lead to more countries having their visa exemption status suspended.

According to the European Union Council, the goal of the updated rules is to enhance the EU's ability to "react to situations where visa-free travel is being abused or works against the interests of the EU."

The changes expand the list of potential triggers for suspending visa-free arrangements with third countries. Among the new criteria is a country’s failure to align its visa policy with that of the EU. EU policymakers argue that discrepancies in visa regimes can encourage irregular migration and undermine the bloc’s efforts to maintain cohesive border control. As the Council stated, “The lack of visa policy alignment is considered to lead to increased irregular migration, and for this reason, unified rules are seen as necessary.”

Another major area of concern addressed in the revised framework is the use of investor citizenship schemes—programs that offer nationality in exchange for financial investment.

Countries operating such schemes may now face the suspension of visa-free agreements if they fail to apply rigorous standards when granting citizenship. This provision is designed to close loopholes that might allow high-risk individuals to access the EU via third countries with looser controls.

The updated mechanism also targets broader geopolitical threats. The European Parliament emphasized that visa waivers could be suspended for “countries that represent hybrid threats and those with a deterioration in the EU’s external relations.” This expands the scope of the policy beyond migration issues, allowing visa rules to serve as a tool for addressing diplomatic and security concerns.

In another important change, the EU institutions propose lengthening the initial period of visa-free suspension from the current nine months to 12 months. “The Council and the EP want the duration of the temporary suspension of the visa exemption to increase from the current period of nine months to 12 months,” the EU Council confirmed. Additionally, this 12-month suspension could be extended for up to 24 more months if issues are not resolved.

The extended timeline aims to give the European Commission more room to conduct diplomatic engagement with the affected country. The temporary suspension period allows the Commission “to engage in talks with the third country concerned so that they can find a solution for the reasons that led to the circumstances.” Should these efforts fail, however, the EU reserves the right to terminate the visa-free status entirely. “If it is concluded that the third country is not addressing the reasons, the EU can decide to permanently revoke the visa-free travel regime,” the Council warned.

To improve transparency and effectiveness, the revised legislation will also establish specific thresholds for some of the grounds that justify a suspension. These thresholds are designed to provide “more clarity on when the suspension will take effect and make the mechanism more effective,” according to the EU Council.

While the agreement marks a major step forward in reshaping the EU’s visa-free travel policy, it remains provisional for now. It must still be formally approved by both the Council and the European Parliament before becoming law. 

By fLEXI tEAM