Brussels, 17 June 2025 — In a major development aimed at strengthening the integrity of Europe’s visa-free travel system, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement to overhaul the rules governing the suspension of visa exemptions for third countries.
The reform, announced today, updates a mechanism in place since 2013 that allows the EU to temporarily suspend visa-free access when certain conditions are met. The updated framework is designed to respond more effectively to emerging threats, including abuse of the system, hybrid threats, and breaches of international norms.
New Grounds for Suspension
Under the revised rules, the EU can now trigger the suspension of visa-free travel on several new grounds:
- Misalignment with EU visa policy , particularly by countries near the EU whose lax policies may lead to increased irregular migration.
- Investor citizenship schemes that grant nationality without genuine ties to the country, often exploited for circumventing border controls.
- Hybrid threats and weak document security , which pose risks to internal security.
- Deterioration in external relations , especially concerning violations of human rights or breaches of the UN Charter.
These new criteria supplement existing triggers such as spikes in unfounded asylum applications, overstaying, and high rates of entry refusals.
Clear Thresholds for Action
To ensure clarity and consistency, the agreement introduces specific thresholds that must be met before suspension can take effect. For example:
- A 30% increase in cases of refused entry, overstays, asylum applications, or serious criminal offenses linked to nationals of a given country.
- An asylum recognition rate below 20% , indicating a significant number of baseless claims.
These benchmarks aim to make the mechanism more predictable and objective, reducing ambiguity in its application.
Extended Suspension Periods
The deal also extends the duration of temporary suspensions from 9 to 12 months , with an option to extend the measure by up to 24 additional months —up from the previous 18. This longer timeframe gives the European Commission more room to engage in dialogue with the affected country to address the root causes of the suspension.
If no progress is made, the EU may opt for permanent revocation of visa-free access—a rare but powerful tool meant to incentivize compliance with shared values and obligations.
Targeted Sanctions Instead of Blanket Measures
One of the most notable improvements in the new framework is the ability to target only those responsible for the problematic situation—such as government officials or diplomats—during the extended suspension phase.
Previously, all citizens of a country faced restrictions once the second phase began, which critics argued could unfairly punish ordinary people. Under the new rules, the EU can maintain targeted measures against individuals while sparing broader populations from collateral impact.
Why It Matters
Visa-free travel has long been a symbol of trust and cooperation between the EU and partner countries. However, recent years have exposed vulnerabilities in the system. Some nations have become gateways for irregular migration, with travelers exploiting liberal entry rules to move onward illegally into the EU.
In addition, concerns over national security and geopolitical tensions have grown, prompting calls for a more robust and responsive legal framework.
This reform addresses those concerns head-on, offering the EU greater flexibility and precision in safeguarding its borders while maintaining diplomatic channels for resolution.
Next Steps
The provisional agreement will now undergo formal confirmation by both the Council and the European Parliament before it becomes law. Once adopted, the updated mechanism will immediately apply to all EU member states within the Schengen Area.
Background
The visa suspension mechanism was first introduced in 2013 to serve as a safeguard against the misuse of visa-free arrangements. While these agreements promote mobility and economic ties, they also carry risks—ranging from overstays and false asylum claims to security threats and political pressure points.
Today’s agreement marks a significant evolution in the EU’s approach to managing these challenges, reinforcing both the union’s security and its strategic interests.
