Kosovars will have none from January 1, 2024 Schengen visa more needed to travel to the European Union. The EU countries and the European Commission agree on this. Only the European Parliament still has to agree, but that will not be a problem.
The proposal of the European Council is that holders of a Kosovar passport, without a visa travel to the EU for a stay of 90 days in any 180-day period. According to the Council's position, the visa waiver would apply from the start date of the European travel information and authorization system (Etias) and in any case take effect no later than 1 January 2024.
Kosovo is now one of the few countries in Europe where residents have a visa requirement applies to it Schengen area to travel in. That obligation will soon be abolished. Kosovo has made significant progress in the visa liberalization roadmap, including in the areas of document security, border and migration management, public order and security, and fundamental rights related to free movement. Therefore, the Commission has proposed to lift the visa requirement for holders of passports issued by Kosovo. This exemption brings the entire Western Balkans under the same visa regime.
Kosovo wants to join the European Union
The European Commission has been advocating for years to relax the visa rules for Kosovo. In 2018, the commission ruled that Kosovo met all eligibility requirements. The Netherlands and other EU member states opposed this, partly because of concerns about the country's fight against crime and corruption.
Kosovo is one of six countries in the Western Balkans that has been trying for XNUMX years to join the European Union. The country now has the status of a potential candidate country. It could be years before it gets official candidate status and can negotiate accession with the EU.
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