'Cascade scheme': Who can benefit from longer term Schengen visas?
The visas are not tied to a purpose, but do not grant the right to work.
This specific type of Schengen visa has been dubbed the "cascade" scheme (more on this below) but how does it work and who can obtain it?
So far the scheme applies to citizens from just three countries, but it's likely to be extended to others in the future.
Indian nationals
The first to benefit from the scheme were Indian nationals, who have been able to apply for a long-term Schengen visa since
18 April 2024
. They can obtain a multi-entry Schengen visa valid for two years after having obtained two visas within the previous three years.
The two-year visa can then be followed by a five-year visa, if the passport is valid long enough.
Turkish nationals
Similar provisions have applied to Turkish nationals (except truck drivers) since
July 15th 2025
. Turkish nationals can apply for a one-year multi-entry Schengen visa after having obtained two visas for Schengen countries within the previous three years.
The one-year visa can then be followed by a three-year and then a five-year one, if the passport has sufficient remaining validity.
Advertisement
Indonesian nationals
As of July 23rd 2025, Indonesian nationals can be issued multi-entry Schengen visas valid for five years 'after having obtained and lawfully used one Schengen visa within the previous three years'.
New policy
These long-term Schengen visas mark the start of a new EU policy that favours regular 'trusted travellers' and aims to facilitate 'people-to-people contacts', according to the EU Commission press statements.
They also reflect diplomatic priorities and form part of the new EU immigration policy, which grants easier access to citizens from countries, whose governments cooperate with the EU on readmissions.
'Member States should have particular regard for persons travelling for the purpose of exercising their profession, such as business people, seafarers, artists and athletes,' says the regulation.
'More favourable approaches in issuing multiple-entry visas with a long period of validity should take into account, in particular, the existence of trade agreements covering the mobility of business persons,' it says.
The 'cascade' system and the 90-day rule
The so-called 'cascade system' is a tiered visas regime which grants progressively a longer length of validity depending on the travel history of the applicant.
It was introduced with the reform of the Schengen Visa Code in 2020. As a general rule, it allows a multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year, if the applicant has used three visas within the previous 2 years; 2 years, if the applicant has used a 1-year multiple-entry visa in the previous 2 years; 5 years, if the applicant has used a 2-year multiple-entry visa in the previous 3 years.
Advertisement
Despite the extended visa validity periods, the 90 day Schengen rule still applies, meaning visa holders can only stay a maximum 90 days in any 180-day period. Compliance with this rule is essential, as overstaying could undermine the possibility to get future long-term visas. Applicants who are found to have overstayed or worked illegally in the Schengen area will likely be denied access to the extended Schengen visas.
First-time travellers are typically granted short-term, single-entry visas, upon which they can start building their travel history.
Airport transit visas and visas limited to a particular country are not taken into account.
Applicants also have to apply in the country of their nationality (for instance, Indonesian nationals have to reside and apply from Indonesia) and provide proof of their reasons for travel.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
6 hours ago
- DW
Trump tariffs: Where do we stand as deadline expires – DW – 07/31/2025
Countries whose exports are facing sweeping US tariffs have been in a scramble recently to sign trade deals. While some were successful, others are facing the prospect of no deal and increased levies. In his election campaign, Donald Trump once said that "tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary." Now, after six months in office, the US president is eager to turn his very specific vison of global trade into reality. With a move that shocked both politics and business across the world, Donald Trump announced on April 2 this year that he would impose a "baseline tariff" of 10% on all goods imported to the United States. In addition, goods from about 60 other trade partners would face so-called reciprocal tariffs that were even higher and meant as payback for the unfair trade policies of what Trump called "the worst offenders." While the baseline tariffs came into effect immediately, the US President was forced to postpone the deadline for reciprocal tariffs for 90 days in response to turmoil in the financial markets following April 2. They are now coming into effect on August 1, with the US president having made abundantly clear that he's holding strong on the deadline for countries that haven't reached new trade agreements with his administration. "It stands strong, and will not be extended," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Tuesday, adding: "A big day for America!!!" While deals have been made with some major US trading partners, many others are facing the prospect of no deal and increased levies on their exports to the United States. Scores more are somewhere in the middle — with no trade deal signed, but as yet no threat of higher tariffs. Among them are some of America's closet allies and biggest trading partners, including Australia, Taiwan and New Zealand. Days before the deadline, the US and the European Union on Sunday agreed that European goods imported to the US would face a 15% baseline tariff. This includes the EU's crucial automobile sector which had been subject to a 25% levy since Trump took office earlier this year. By contrast, the EU will charge US firms no duties at all, and has pledged to buy US energy worth $750 billion, as well as make investments in the US of around $600 billion, according to the White House. The agreement, which still needs to be signed off by all 27 EU members, has already received strong criticism. French Prime Minister Francoise Bayrou said the EU had capitulated and described Sunday as a "dark day." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The United Kingdom was the first country to strike a trade deal with Washington. British products will be subject to a 10% base rate, with exceptions for some industries. The UK is still negotiating exemptions for its steel and aluminium products from the 25% rate in force. In return, the UK had to open its market further to US ethanol and beef. Under a deal struck in July, Japan's exports to the US will be taxed at 15%, including automobiles, an industry accounting for 30% of Japanese exports to the US in 2024. Tariffs of 50% on Japanese steel and aluminium will continue to apply and the White House said that under the deal, Japan would make an unspecified $550 billion investments in the US. With regard to South Korea, recent negotiations have resulted in a 15% baseline tariff on all imports from that country — down from a threatened 25% for one of the US's top-10 trading partner and key Asian ally. Trump said on Wednesday that South Korea had also agreed to invest $350 billion in US projects and to purchase $100 billion of liquefied natural gas and other energy products. Furthermore, South Korea will accept American products, including automobiles and agricultural goods into its markets and impose no import duties on them, he added. Other trade deals made by Washington include the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Products from the Philippines — a major exporter of hi-tech items and apparel — will face a 19% levy. Vietnam was able to lower a threatened reciprocal tariff of 49% under a deal reached in early July. A main exporter of clothing and shoes to the US, Vietnam will see its shipments subject to a 20% tariff. However, a 40% tariff will be imposed on so-called transshipments — goods manufactured in third countries that use Vietnam to circumvent steeper trade barriers. US goods will not face any tariffs entering Vietnam. Indonesian exports to the US will be taxed at 19% and, according to Washington, nearly all US goods will be able to enter Indonesia tariff-free. Pakistan, which was facing a potential 29% tariff under Trump's April 2 announcement, said on Thursday it had struck a deal that would result in lower tariffs, as well as an agreement in which Washington would help develop the country's oil reserves. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video China — the world's second-largest economy — is a special case. Washington and Beijing had raised tariffs on each other's goods to more than 100% before temporarily lowering rates for a 90-day period. That pause is set to end on 12 August. China has taken an aggressive stance in response to Trump's brief threat of imposing a 145% levy on imports, retaliating with tariffs of its own on US goods and blocking the sale of vital rare earth minerals and components used by American defense and hi-tech manufacturers. Brazil is one of the few major economies that run a trade deficit with the United States, meaning Brazil imports more from the US than it exports to the country. Nevertheless, the US president has threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Brazil's products because of political differences. Trump called a current trial against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro a "witch hunt," and has demanded the release of the ultraconservative politician. Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in turn called Trump an "emperor" and said he didn't fear publicly criticizing Trump. India, meanwhile, has caused Trump's ire for its huge trade surplus with the US and its trade ties with Russia. As a result, Trump announced on Wednesday that he would impose a 25% tariff on Indian goods, plus an additional "penalty" because of India's purchasing of Russian oil that helps Moscow finance its war in Ukraine. On his Truth Social platform, Trump also wrote that India "is our friend," but added its tariffs on US products "are far too high." Canada and Mexico — two of the the US's biggest trading partners — haven't been spared Trump's tariff threats either, even though the three neighbors' trade is governed by the US-Mexico-Canada (USMC) trade agreement. Trump has threatened to impose a 30% tariff on Mexican goods, accusing the country of not doing enough to curb drug smuggling. Nevertheless, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has previously said she was confident an agreement could be reached before August 1. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is more skeptical about a positive outcome of bilateral trade talks after Trump has threatened to impose a 35% levy on imports not covered by USMC. In March, Trump already imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian cars and auto parts, adding a 50% levy on steel and aluminium imports in June. The new rate would apply to all other goods. On Wednesday, Trump said that Canada's decision to back statehood for Palestine would make it "hard for us to make a trade deal with them."
DW
7 hours ago
- DW
US-EU trade deal could lock bloc into fossil fuel dependency – DW – 07/30/2025
Critics say Europe's $750 billion energy deal with the US could risk the bloc's climate goals and energy security if it goes ahead. Environmental groups have criticized a new trade deal that could see Europe spending more than $750 billion (€700 billion) on mostly fossil fuel imports from the United States over the next three years, warning it could undermine the bloc's climate targets. "This risks locking Europe into decades of fossil fuel dependence, volatile energy bills, and accelerating the wildfires and flooding already wreaking havoc across the continent," said Andreas Sieber, associate director of policy and campaigns at climate group in a statement. As part of an agreement that US President Donald Trump dubbed the "biggest deal ever," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said US energy would replace Russian oil and gas, "which we do not want anymore." Instead, Europe would purchase "more affordable and better" liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US, said von der Leyen. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The deal, which helped avert a trade war, includes a 15% tariff on key EU exports to the US such as cars. But critics say it represents an "about-turn" in Europe's climate policy. "The new US-EU trade deal is a dramatic U-turn on the European Commission's and President von der Leyen's priorities from a couple of years ago," said Esther Bollendorff, senior gas policy coordinator at climate group CAN Europe. "Namely, building a future-proof European Green Deal based on climate ambition and rapid renewables build-out." The Commission, under von der Leyen, unveiled the Green Deal to ramp up Europe's ambitions on fighting climate change at the end of 2019. Europe is the fastest-warming region globally, say scientists. The continent saw its hottest year on record in 2024. Just weeks ago, the Commission presented proposals for a 90% bloc-wide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 compared with 1990 levels. The mid-term target aims to help the EU reach its wider 2050 goal of carbon neutrality, with measures including improving energy efficiency, electrifying the transport sector and boosting green energy. In the next five years, the bloc aims to have 42.5% of its energy come from renewable sources. The US-EU trade deal "flies in the face" of these commitments, said Luke Haywood, head of climate and energy at the European Environmental Bureau, a network of environmental organizations. "Tripling US energy imports in just three years isn't only physically implausible, it would derail the EU's mid-term decarbonization targets," he added in a statement. Burning oil and gas emits greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the planet, fueling more extreme weather. Swapping pipeline gas for US LNG would further increase Europe's emissions, said Chris Aylett, a research fellow at the Environment and Society Center of UK-based independent policy institute Chatham House. That's because LNG production and transport emits more methane — a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO2, though it doesn't stay as long in the atmosphere. Still, there is skepticism about whether Europe can live up to its new pledge on US energy spending, with Aylett saying it would be "very difficult." In 2024, the EU imported around €60 billion worth of oil and gas from the US. Another €24 billion came from Russia. Taken together, that's a "long way away" from the €216 billion the EU promised to spend each year, Aylett told DW. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The European Commission also cannot force member states or companies to buy US energy, said Aylett. "It's an aspiration really. The EU has the means that it could encourage it [...] but it's all voluntary, so the Commission itself wouldn't be making the purchases," he added. "In some ways the promise has been made that the Commission itself doesn't really have any ability to deliver." Swapping dependence on Russian energy with reliance on the US could be "catastrophic" for energy security too, warned Aylett. "It would be breaking the very first rule, which is that you don't just rely on one supplier," he told DW, adding that it would make the bloc "extremely vulnerable."
DW
9 hours ago
- DW
Why Qatar's gas lifeline to Germany is at risk – DW – 07/31/2025
Qatar is due to supply 2 million tons of liquefied natural gas to Germany from next year. The deal is now under threat from an EU directive on rights and the climate that critics say is too costly and bureaucratic. In November 2022, as Europe grappled with an escalating energy crisis, Germany sealed a deal with Qatar to import up to 2 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually from the Gulf state. The agreement, due to start next year, was part of Europe's broader strategy to reduce reliance on Russian gas following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Nearly three years later, Qatar has threatened to halt LNG deliveries to Europe in a row over a European Union directive aimed at improving ethical standards in global trade. German newspaper reported last weekend (July 26/27) that Qatari authorities have written to several EU governments urging Brussels to revise the directive. The letters warned that, without substantial changes, Qatar may redirect LNG exports to markets offering a "more stable and business-friendly environment." The EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), adopted last year, orders large European firms to scrutinize their global supply chains — from raw materials to finished products — to spot and fix issues like human rights abuses or environmental harm. The directive also mandates that companies develop climate transition plans aligned with the 2015 Paris Agreement. While the CSDDD has been praised by human rights and environmental advocates, it has drawn criticism from industry groups and non-EU suppliers for its high compliance costs, administrative burden and international legal scope. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Qatar complained that the directive's climate protection rules "go beyond the objectives and intentions" of the Paris Agreement, adding that "high fines, penalties, and civil liability for noncompliance" pose a risk for state-owned QatarEnergy, the world's largest LNG producer. The CSDDD conflicts with Qatar's national energy strategy. The Gulf country's economy is deeply tied to LNG, which it sees as a "green" transition fuel rather than a climate liability. Doha says it wants to make gradual, measurable progress towards carbon-neutrality, without undermining its energy exports. "Qatar and some other oil producers and exporters have not yet put net-zero pathways in place," Andreas Goldthau, a professor of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt in Germany, told DW. Goldthau said this puts them at risk of EU penalties for failure to comply with the CSDDD. Under the directive, firms could face fines of up to 5% of global annual turnover if they don't carry out due diligence checks. For QatarEnergy, which reported $48.6 billion (€42.2 billion) in revenue for 2024, that could translate to a $2.43 billion penalty. Since the Ukraine war began, Qatar has supplied 12-14% of Europe's LNG needs, according to data provider Kpler, sending a total of 37.1 million metric tons of the gas to the bloc. The 2022 deal with Germany is expected to further boost Europe's supply. Analysts warn that any disruption to these volumes, especially during peak winter demand, could tighten supply and trigger a renewed surge in energy prices. Thierry Bros, a professor at Sciences Po University in Paris, told DW that it was "unsurprising" that Qatar was now threatening supplies as "no company" wants to be exposed to an "overly complex and burdensome piece of legislation." "Instead of entering protracted negotiations, Qatar has chosen a more assertive approach — acting early and decisively to position itself for a full exemption from the directive," he said. EU states were initially expected to turn the CSDDD into national legislation by next year, initially targeting firms with more than 5,000 employees and annual turnovers of over €1.5 billion. By 2029, smaller firms with headcounts of 1,000 or more will be required to comply. But faced with growing pushback from the likes of Germany, France and Italy, as well as the finance and energy sectors, Brussels has now proposed a two-year delay, till June 2028. "The EU already relaxed some of those requirements, pushing some back into the second half of the decade," said Goldthau. A key legal question now looms: Can Brussels legitimately impose steep fines on non-EU firms like QatarEnergy? Experts believe practical challenges and trade implications may complicate any enforcement action. If not, the financial burden may shift to its European partners. "Importers with legal entities within Europe could be asked to withhold payments to QatarEnergy as fines by proxy," Goldthau speculated. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Qatar's move may be strategically sound, but its timing has raised eyebrows. Some analysts believe Doha is leveraging the recent US-EU trade tensions to push for an exemption. But just this weekend, Brussels agreed $750 billion (€650 billion) worth of US LNG purchases as part of the tariff deal with US President Donald Trump, dealing a major blow to the country's approach. "I'm puzzled why Qatar put this forward right now," Goldthau told DW. After all, he added, Trump has just struck a deal that gives Brussels another excuse to "pivot to the US." But Bros sees it differently, believing that Qatar's move is well timed to capitalize on Europe's lingering vulnerability from the post-Ukraine energy crisis. "The LNG market remains tight and will likely stay that way for another three years, giving Qatar significant leverage at precisely the right moment to exert pressure," he said. With global LNG demand projected to rise to over 600 million tons per annum by 2030, Qatar's North Field expansion and long-term contracts help position the emirate as a critical energy supplier to Europe. But if EU regulations become too burdensome, Qatar may accelerate its pivot to Asia, where demand is booming and compliance costs are much lower.
