The European Commission has announced plans for a significant overhaul of Schengen visa rules. These proposed changes, expected by the first quarter of 2027, aim to address several existing shortcomings. Importantly, the reforms will impact non-EU citizens requiring a short-stay visa.
A key focus involves facilitating travel for reliable applicants and trusted business travellers. For example, the Commission intends to explore common lists of verified companies by third country or jurisdiction. Employees of such approved companies could benefit from targeted facilitations. This includes faster processing, priority appointments, and potentially fewer required supporting documents.
Business travellers working for trusted firms generally present a lower risk profile. However, there is currently no common EU approach to identify these individuals or their corporate sponsors. Some EU countries offer national schemes, but these do not apply across the entire Schengen area. This creates fragmentation for businesses operating in multiple member states. Therefore, their employees may face differing procedures and requirements.
Meanwhile, the new proposal also seeks to tighten regulations for third countries. Specifically, it targets those that do not sufficiently cooperate in combating illegal migration, migrant smuggling, or broader security concerns. Furthermore, the Commission is considering restrictive visa measures at the EU level. These would apply in cases of serious political or security deterioration in a non-EU country. This includes hostile actions, hybrid threats, or even the instrumentalisation of migration.
In addition, the EU executive is looking at a harmonised additional charge. This fee would be levied at the EU level, on top of the standard Schengen visa fee. Revenues generated from this charge would then support the ongoing development of the common visa policy.
In 2024, Schengen countries processed over 11.7 million short-stay visa applications. They subsequently issued almost 10.3 million visas. The Schengen area encompasses most EU member states, excluding Ireland and Cyprus, along with Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. Short-stay visas permit visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period for various reasons.
The Commission has invited interested stakeholders to submit comments. This includes EU and non-EU citizens, national authorities, businesses, and civil society organisations. The public consultation remains open until October 6.
