How the EU Common Visa Policy Shapes Short-Stay Travel, Security and ETIAS Preparation

The European Union maintains a common visa policy for people travelling through or staying for a short period in the Schengen area. Because the Schengen rules abolish checks at most internal borders while setting a single standard for the external border, shared visa rules are essential: they make it easier for genuine visitors to enter while strengthening internal security. A short stay is defined as no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.

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Why the EU needs common visa rules

More than 400 million EU citizens enjoy freedom of movement in the Schengen area, and non-EU nationals living in or visiting the bloc can also move freely once admitted. To keep that border-free space working, the EU applies one set of rules for short stays in or transit through a Schengen state, as well as for transit through the international zones of Schengen airports. Today, 29 European countries issue Schengen visas: 25 of the 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Cyprus, which has not yet lifted internal border controls, and Ireland, which is outside Schengen, issue only national visas.

Visa-free travel and Schengen visas

Not everyone needs a visa. The EU currently has a visa-free regime with 61 non-EU countries, plus Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, allowing biometric-passport holders to enter for short stays without a visa. The principle of reciprocity means EU citizens can usually travel visa-free to those countries in return. The list evolves: in March 2023 the Council agreed visa-free travel for Kosovo, and from 1 January 2024 Kosovo passport holders may visit the EU for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. For nationals who do need one, a Schengen visa allows travel across the whole area, and visa facilitation agreements can simplify the process for certain countries.

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A suspension mechanism, digitalisation and ETIAS

The policy also has safeguards. Where a non-EU country does not cooperate on the readmission of its nationals, the EU can suspend certain visa benefits, and the rules can likewise be tightened if a visa-free country no longer meets the agreed conditions. In parallel, the EU is digitalising the Schengen visa so that applications and the visa sticker move online. For visa-exempt visitors, the picture is completed by the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a regulation adopted in 2018 that will require an advance online travel authorisation before departure. To check whether you will need a visa or an ETIAS authorisation, see our guide on who needs to apply.