EU agrees to stricter controls on visa-free travel for third countries
The revised legislation broadens the scope of conditions under which visa-free travel can be temporarily or permanently suspended. According to an official EU statement, the new rules allow the suspension of visa exemptions in cases where a third country's visa policy is not aligned with that of the EU — particularly when that country is geographically close and may be used as a transit point for unauthorized migration into the Schengen area.
Additional grounds for suspension include the operation of investor citizenship schemes that grant nationality in exchange for payments without any genuine ties to the country, the emergence of hybrid threats, deficiencies in document security procedures, and significant deterioration in bilateral relations, particularly when involving human rights violations or breaches of the United Nations Charter.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski welcomed the reform, stressing the importance of protecting the EU's visa-free policy from misuse. 'Visa-free travel to the EU benefits foreign citizens and the EU alike. But if citizens of third countries abuse this advantage, the EU must have all necessary tools in place to correct the situation,' he said.
To enhance transparency and consistency, the updated mechanism introduces clearly defined thresholds to trigger a suspension. These include a 30 percent increase in asylum applications, entry refusals, overstays, or serious criminal offences, as well as an asylum recognition rate of less than 20 percent.
The duration of a temporary suspension will be extended from the current nine months to 12 months, with the possibility of a further 24-month extension—an increase from the current 18-month cap. During this period, the European Commission may engage in dialogue with the third country to address the underlying issues. If corrective actions are not taken, the EU will have the authority to permanently revoke the country's visa-free status.
A key feature of the revised framework is its targeted application. Unlike the current system, which applies to an entire population once the second phase of suspension is triggered, the new rules permit selective suspension of visa waivers specifically for decision-makers—such as government officials or diplomats—responsible for violating human rights or undermining EU external relations.
The agreement now awaits formal adoption by both EU legislative bodies before it enters into force.
The EU's visa suspension mechanism, originally established in 2013, serves as a safeguard against the abuse of visa-free travel. It allows the EU to respond to sharp increases in irregular migration, unfounded asylum claims, or other risks stemming from third countries. Amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing security concerns, the reform reflects the EU's effort to balance openness with the need for stronger external border controls and responsible visa policy enforcement.
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