Kosovo: Visa-free in 26 Schengen countries from midnight

Monday, January 1, 2024, is a historic day for citizens of Kosovo because they can travel to Schengen countries without visas

Historic day for Kosovo: Visa-free in 26 Schengen countries from midnight

On April 18, the European Parliament approved the decision on the liberalization of the visa regime, which will enable citizens of Kosovo to travel to most European countries without visas.

The vote by the EU legislature in Strasbourg, France, was the last legal hurdle to granting Kosovo citizens visa-free travel in the 26-nation Schengen area after member states gave their backing in March.

Under the new rules, Kosovo passport holders will be able to travel in and out of the Schengen zone, which includes 22 EU member states and non-EU countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, for up to 90 days within 180 days.

The only country in the Schengen area that still does not want to recognize the documents of the Republic of Kosovo is Spain.

Kosovo is the last country in the Western Balkans to receive a visa-free regime for the Schengen zone. It joins other countries in the region whose citizens have been enjoying freedom of movement for years.

Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia have been visa-free since December 2009, and Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina joined Schengen in 2010.

Back in 2018, the European Commission recommended the abolition of the visa regime in Kosovo, but this political decision was retained by some EU members.

Visa liberalization for Kosovo was revived after the Russian invasion of Ukraine when the EU took several positive steps toward the region to try to reduce Russia’s influence.

(Antena M)