EU Set to Tighten Visa-Free Travel Rules Amid Concerns Over Irregular Migration and Investor Citizenship Schemes

In a significant policy shift, the European Union Council and Parliament have reached a provisional agreement to overhaul the framework governing visa-free travel to the Schengen Area.

Approved on June 17, 2025, the amended rules are designed to empower the EU to respond more swiftly and decisively to any perceived abuse of visa-free access or actions that conflict with the bloc’s interests.

“With this amended law, the EU will be better placed to react to situations where visa-free travel is being abused or works against the interests of the EU,” stated the European Union Council, underscoring the motivation behind the legislative update.

The revised regulation broadens the criteria under which a third country’s visa-free status can be suspended. One of the central changes involves the inclusion of countries whose visa regimes are not aligned with EU visa policy. According to EU officials, such misalignment is believed to contribute to increased irregular migration, and addressing this is viewed as essential for maintaining the integrity of the Schengen Area.

Another new ground for suspension targets countries operating investor citizenship schemes—programs that grant citizenship to foreigners in exchange for financial investments. The EU now warns that third countries which fail to meet specific criteria prior to conferring such citizenships could face visa-free suspension.

Further, the European Parliament has added geopolitical considerations to the list. Under the new framework, countries that pose hybrid threats to the EU, or those experiencing a deterioration in diplomatic relations with the bloc, may also see their visa exemptions suspended.

In tandem with expanding the list of triggers, the EU also seeks to extend the duration of suspensions. Currently, visa-free travel can be temporarily revoked for up to nine months. However, the new proposal increases this initial period 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. This initial period can be extended by a further 24 months,” the EU Council clarified.

This extended timeframe is intended to allow the European Commission to initiate and conduct diplomatic consultations with the third country in question. If, after this period, the EU determines that the country has failed to adequately resolve the concerns, it will have the authority to permanently revoke the visa-free travel agreement.

The proposed legislation will also introduce clearer thresholds for each of the suspension grounds. EU lawmakers believe these benchmarks will bring greater transparency and predictability to the mechanism.

While the agreement between the Council and Parliament is currently provisional, it represents a firm step toward tightening control over visa-free access to the EU. The proposal must still receive formal approval from both institutions before it becomes law. 

By fLEXI tEAM