Press briefings ahead of the upcoming Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 20 June 2025 and General Affairs Council of 24 June 2025 will take place on 17 June 2025 at 16.00
EU Reforms Visa-Free Travel Suspension Mechanism to Tackle Abuse and Security Risks
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.
Without urgent funding, global hunger hotspots are set to grow, UN warns
But hunger has followed them. Over 57 per cent of the population in the world’s youngest country to the south is already facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
Sudan and South Sudan are among five global hunger hotspots of “highest concern”, trapped in a worsening cycle of conflict, climate shocks and economic decline.
Continued fighting in Sudan, anticipated flooding impacting its southern neighbour and deteriorating economic conditions in both countries are set to intensify hunger in the coming months.
A new report released on Monday by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also identified Palestine, Mali and Haiti as the other top-priority hunger hotspots, with a further seven countries likely to see worsening food security over the next five months.
The report, which analyses existing data to project the nature of food insecurity, emphasised that without immediate humanitarian assistance, people living in these hotspots will face severe food conditions and high risks of starvation and death.
“This report makes it very clear: hunger today is not a distant threat – it is a daily emergency for millions. We must act now and act together to save lives and safeguard livelihoods,” said FAO Director General QU Dongyu.
Conflict-driven hunger
The report identified that the main driver of hunger is conflict which is often compounded by climate and economic shocks.
“There’s an on-going famine in Sudan and also a risk of famine in the case of Gaza. And all of those are driven by conflict and lack of access for humanitarians,” said Jean-Martin Baucer, FAO food security analysis director.
In Gaza, the entire population of 2.1 million people is projected to experience crisis levels of food insecurity in the next months as a result of protracted military operations, with almost 500,000 projected to face catastrophic levels of food insecurity.
Sawsan was an artist in Gaza before the conflict began. Since then, she and her four children have been displaced, losing everything that they owned. They do not have enough to eat: Sawsan described to WFP that she now reduced to crushing macaroni to make bread for her children.
The report also noted that climate shocks and conflict often cause protracted economic declines, diminishing the purchasing power and self-sustaining capacity of households and communities.
Window closing fast
In recent months, humanitarian food operations have faced significant food shortages and have been geographically impeded by security crises which make the delivery of aid simply dangerous.
WFP and FAO are calling for the international community to drastically step up funding for food and nutrition related humanitarian aid in the coming months and advocate for an end to the fighting.
“Urgent, sustained investment in food assistance and recovery support is crucial as the window to avert yet more devastating hunger is closing fast,” said WFP executive director Cindy McCain.
‘Red alert’
In May, the food aid sector estimated that it would need $12.2 billion, but only nine per cent of this was funded.
The report also underlined the importance of moving towards longer-term humanitarian strategies which equip communities with self-sustaining capabilities and are less expensive.
“This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk. We have the tools and experience to respond but without funding and access, we cannot save lives,” said Ms. McCain.
Supporting a Secure and Border-Free Europe
In 2025, Europe marks two major milestones: 40 years of the Schengen Area and 30 years of the Schengen Information System (SIS) — the IT backbone that helps keep this border-free zone both secure and operational.
Since its launch in 1995, SIS has enabled real-time cooperation between national authorities across Europe, safeguarding citizens while supporting one of the EU’s greatest achievements — the freedom to travel without internal borders.
SIS is more than just a system — it is a cornerstone of trust, cooperation, and security in Europe.
A System at the Heart of European Security
SIS is much more than a database — it is an operational tool vital to public safety, judicial cooperation, and migration management across the EU.
Every day, SIS helps authorities locate missing persons, intercept criminals at borders, recover stolen assets, and support cross-border investigations — reinforcing trust between Member States.
At eu-LISA, we are committed not only to keeping SIS running reliably, but also to ensuring it evolves to meet future needs — by expanding capabilities, integrating new technologies, and supporting the EU’s broader interoperability objectives.
What is SIS?
The Schengen Information System (SIS) is Europe’s largest and most frequently used information-sharing platform for border security and law enforcement. It allows participating countries to issue and consult alerts related to:
By enabling instant data exchange, SIS helps police officers, border guards, customs officials, immigration authorities, and judicial actors to make fast, informed decisions across national borders.
Who Uses SIS?
As of 2025, SIS is used by 30 European countries, including all EU Member States (with both Ireland and Cyprus now connected), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
In addition, EU agencies such as Europol, Frontex, and Eurojust have access to the system to support their operational mandates.
The countries connected to SIS are:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Across Europe, more than 250,000 authorised users access SIS, including:
Each participating country operates a SIRENE Bureau (Supplementary Information Request at the National Entry), which coordinates follow-up actions when SIS alerts are triggered.
How is SIS Managed?
Since 2013, eu-LISA — the EU Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice — has been responsible for the management and further development of SIS.
eu-LISA’s tasks include:
A major upgrade, known as the SIS Recast, went live in March 2023. It introduced new features to better support counter-terrorism efforts, child protection, and the fight against irregular migration.
SIS in Numbers – 2024 Highlights
According to the SIS Annual Report 2024, the system continues to be a cornerstone of operational cooperation:
While alerts on individuals make up less than 2% of all entries, they are among the most critical. These include:
30 Years of SIS: Supporting a Secure and Border-Free Europe
In 2025, Europe marks two major milestones: 40 years of the Schengen Area and 30 years of the Schengen Information System (SIS) — the IT backbone that helps keep this border-free zone both secure and operational.
Since its launch in 1995, SIS has enabled real-time cooperation between national authorities across Europe, safeguarding citizens while supporting one of the EU’s greatest achievements — the freedom to travel without internal borders.
SIS is more than just a system — it is a cornerstone of trust, cooperation, and security in Europe.
A System at the Heart of European Security
SIS is much more than a database — it is an operational tool vital to public safety, judicial cooperation, and migration management across the EU.
Every day, SIS helps authorities locate missing persons, intercept criminals at borders, recover stolen assets, and support cross-border investigations — reinforcing trust between Member States.
At eu-LISA, we are committed not only to keeping SIS running reliably, but also to ensuring it evolves to meet future needs — by expanding capabilities, integrating new technologies, and supporting the EU’s broader interoperability objectives.
What is SIS?
The Schengen Information System (SIS) is Europe’s largest and most frequently used information-sharing platform for border security and law enforcement. It allows participating countries to issue and consult alerts related to:
By enabling instant data exchange, SIS helps police officers, border guards, customs officials, immigration authorities, and judicial actors to make fast, informed decisions across national borders.
Who Uses SIS?
As of 2025, SIS is used by 30 European countries, including all EU Member States (with both Ireland and Cyprus now connected), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
In addition, EU agencies such as Europol, Frontex, and Eurojust have access to the system to support their operational mandates.
The countries connected to SIS are:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Across Europe, more than 250,000 authorised users access SIS, including:
Each participating country operates a SIRENE Bureau (Supplementary Information Request at the National Entry), which coordinates follow-up actions when SIS alerts are triggered.
How is SIS Managed?
Since 2013, eu-LISA — the EU Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice — has been responsible for the management and further development of SIS.
eu-LISA’s tasks include:
A major upgrade, known as the SIS Recast, went live in March 2023. It introduced new features to better support counter-terrorism efforts, child protection, and the fight against irregular migration.
SIS in Numbers – 2024 Highlights
According to the SIS Annual Report 2024, the system continues to be a cornerstone of operational cooperation:
While alerts on individuals make up less than 2% of all entries, they are among the most critical. These include:
Largest illegal trading platform for drugs taken down | Eurojust
The dark web marketplace was active for over five years. Archetyp was one of the only platforms to allow the sale of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The marketplace had around 17 000 listings online, and with more than 600 000 users, it is considered one of the largest of its kind.
Investigations into Archetyp revealed that its creator and current administrator is a German national residing in Spain. International cooperation between authorities, financial tracking and digital evidence analysis led to the identification of the people behind Archetyp. Investigators discovered the location of the servers, moderators and vendors on the marketplace. A coordinated action week was planned to dismantle Archetyp and arrest those responsible for selling and operating the platform, under the coordination of Eurojust and Europol.
The action week took place between 11 and 13 June, targeting the platform’s administrator, moderators, key vendors and the servers running the website. Coordinated actions in five countries, carried out by around 300 officers, resulted in the arrest of the thirty year old administrator in Spain, seven other persons and the seizure of assets worth EUR 7.8 million. By taking Archetyp offline, authorities have dealt a severe blow to drug traffickers in Europe.
Eurojust ensured the international investigation was efficient and effective. The Agency organised multiple coordination meetings, which enabled authorities to exchange critical information for the investigation. During the action days and the preliminary investigations, Eurojust coordinated the execution of mutual legal assistance and European Investigation Orders.
Europol supported the investigation from the outset, facilitating the exchange of intelligence, conducting extensive cross-checks and helping to identify high-value targets. On the action days, Europol deployed a dark web specialist to Germany and set up a virtual command post to coordinate field activities and ensure real-time deconfliction across jurisdictions.
The following authorities, with the support of the United States, carried out the operation:
- Germany: Prosecutor General’s Office Frankfurt am Main – Cyber Crime Center; Federal Criminal Police Office
- Netherlands: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rotterdam; National Police, Unit Police Unit Rotterdam
- Spain: Investigative Court num 10 in Barcelona; International Cooperation Section of PPO Barcelona; National Police
- Sweden: Swedish Prosecution Authority; National Public Prosecution Department, National Unit against Organised Crime in Gothenburg; Swedish National Police; National Operations Department / Swedish Cybercrime Unit
- Romania: Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT); National Police
Largest illegal trading platform for drugs taken down
The dark web marketplace was active for over five years. Archetyp was one of the only platforms to allow the sale of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The marketplace had around 17 000 listings online, and with more than 600 000 users, it is considered one of the largest of its kind.
Investigations into Archetyp revealed that its creator and current administrator is a German national residing in Spain. International cooperation between authorities, financial tracking and digital evidence analysis led to the identification of the people behind Archetyp. Investigators discovered the location of the servers, moderators and vendors on the marketplace. A coordinated action week was planned to dismantle Archetyp and arrest those responsible for selling and operating the platform, under the coordination of Eurojust and Europol.
The action week took place between 11 and 13 June, targeting the platform’s administrator, moderators, key vendors and the servers running the website. Coordinated actions in five countries, carried out by around 300 officers, resulted in the arrest of the thirty year old administrator in Spain, seven other persons and the seizure of assets worth EUR 7.8 million. By taking Archetyp offline, authorities have dealt a severe blow to drug traffickers in Europe.
Eurojust ensured the international investigation was efficient and effective. The Agency organised multiple coordination meetings, which enabled authorities to exchange critical information for the investigation. During the action days and the preliminary investigations, Eurojust coordinated the execution of mutual legal assistance and European Investigation Orders.
Europol supported the investigation from the outset, facilitating the exchange of intelligence, conducting extensive cross-checks and helping to identify high-value targets. On the action days, Europol deployed a dark web specialist to Germany and set up a virtual command post to coordinate field activities and ensure real-time deconfliction across jurisdictions.
The following authorities, with the support of the United States, carried out the operation:
- Germany: Prosecutor General’s Office Frankfurt am Main – Cyber Crime Center; Federal Criminal Police Office
- Netherlands: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rotterdam; National Police, Unit Police Unit Rotterdam
- Spain: Investigative Court num 10 in Barcelona; International Cooperation Section of PPO Barcelona; National Police
- Sweden: Swedish Prosecution Authority; National Public Prosecution Department, National Unit against Organised Crime in Gothenburg; Swedish National Police; National Operations Department / Swedish Cybercrime Unit
- Romania: Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT); National Police
MIDDLE EAST CRISIS: Live updates for 16 June
After a weekend of massive strikes and counter-strikes between Tel Aviv and Tehran, the UN’s human rights chief, Volker Türk on Monday condemned the violence and echoed wider calls for a negotiated end to the attacks. Meanwhile in Gaza, aid workers report that mobile communications networks continue to be cut in the shattered enclave. We’ll be covering these developments and more across the UN system and beyond today, thanks for joining us. UN News app users can follow our live coverage here.
Rapid surrender of high-profile murder suspect from Greece to Italy coordinated by Eurojust
The suspect in a high-profile murder case can be surrendered from Greece to Italy, due to a rapid judicial support action coordinated by Eurojust. Close cooperation via the Agency ensured that a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) could be issued in time, in order to keep the suspect detained in Greece. The detained person is suspected […]
