EU Approves New Mechanism to Revoke Schengen Visa-Free Travel for Certain Countries

Published on October 8, 2025

The European Union has passed new legislation that will allow it to revoke visa-free access for citizens of certain countries. This could affect up to 61 nations whose citizens currently enjoy the privilege of traveling to the Schengen area without a visa for short stays. The law focuses on addressing security risks, human rights concerns, and issues arising from “golden passport” schemes, making it easier for the EU to suspend visa-free access when needed. This development is expected to have significant implications for business travel, tourism, and international visa policies.

New Mechanism to Safeguard Schengen Area Security and Integrity

The new framework, approved by the European Parliament with overwhelming support, empowers the European Commission to temporarily suspend visa-free travel for countries whose citizens pose a security risk or fail to respect human rights. The decision can be based on factors such as serious criminal activity, overstays, or a rise in rejected asylum applications. If these issues remain unresolved, the suspension can become permanent, limiting access to the Schengen zone for affected countries’ nationals. This marks a shift in the EU’s approach to visa management and enforcement, introducing stricter measures in response to evolving global challenges.

Broader Implications: Hybrid Threats and “Golden Passports”

A key component of the new system is the inclusion of “golden passports”—investment-driven citizenship schemes often dubbed “buying citizenship.” These schemes have become a source of concern due to their potential for exploitation, enabling individuals with questionable backgrounds to gain entry to the EU. The new law aims to tackle these “hybrid threats,” which involve manipulation of migration by foreign states, violations of international law, or non-compliance with international court rulings. In the case of golden passports, the law sets clear guidelines to protect the integrity of the Schengen Area by targeting these potentially exploitative schemes.

Trigger Points: When Visa-Free Travel Can Be Suspended

Under the revised rules, there are now clear thresholds for when action will be taken. For instance, if there is a 30% rise in serious crimes or overstays, or if a country’s asylum rejection rate falls below 20%, the European Commission can initiate the process to suspend visa-free access. These figures provide a transparent and consistent basis for decisions that impact international travelers, businesses, and governments alike. In exceptional cases, the thresholds can be adjusted based on robust, evidence-based assessments, allowing for greater flexibility.

The legislation also allows for selective suspension. This means that not every citizen of a country will lose their visa-free access—officials responsible for human rights violations or other breaches may be specifically targeted, minimizing the impact on the broader population.

Parliamentary Approval and Next Steps

The new rules were passed in the European Parliament with 518 votes in favor, 96 against, and 24 abstentions, signaling strong support for the changes. The legislation still requires formal adoption by the Council of the European Union and will come into effect 20 days after being published in the EU Official Journal. The European Commission can then begin applying the suspension process based on its findings, adding a layer of security and compliance enforcement to the Schengen Area.

Countries Affected by the New Law

The list of countries affected by this reform includes Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, United States, and many more. Citizens of these nations currently enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, under the new rules, if any of these countries fail to meet the established criteria regarding security, asylum applications, or migration controls, their citizens could lose this privilege.

For travelers, particularly business professionals and tourists from these nations, the possibility of losing visa-free access may require future adjustments in how travel to the Schengen Zone is planned. It may also prompt greater scrutiny of travel documents and longer visa processing times.

How Will This Impact Business and Leisure Travel?

For business travelers, this shift in policy could have a significant impact on global mobility. Many companies rely on seamless travel between the EU and countries such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Canada. Any disruption in visa-free access could lead to increased delays in travel, higher visa costs, and additional paperwork for international professionals.

Tourists from affected nations may also face increased barriers to entering the Schengen Area, leading to longer processing times and potential visa fees. For many leisure travelers, the ability to visit multiple European destinations without a visa is a major convenience. However, the new legislation may lead to more planning and preparation before trips are undertaken, especially for countries on the watchlist.

Key Tips for Travelers and Businesses

1. Stay Updated on Visa Requirements: As this law is enacted, travelers should keep abreast of any changes in visa requirements for Schengen countries. Travelers from affected nations should monitor government websites and official EU portals for updates.
2. Plan for Potential Delays: Business travelers should plan for possible delays in obtaining travel documents, especially if visa applications become more stringent. Consider applying for visas well in advance.
3. Understand the Impact of Golden Passports: Citizens from countries with “golden passport” schemes may see their visa-free status impacted. Travelers should check the latest regulations regarding these programs to understand potential risks.
4. Consider Alternative Travel Routes: In the event of a suspension, travelers may need to reroute through other international hubs or obtain visas for longer stays, which could affect overall travel plans.

Key Points to Remember

• EU Passes Law to Revoke Visa-Free Access: The legislation allows the European Commission to temporarily suspend visa-free access for certain countries if they fail to meet security or human rights standards.
• Clear Thresholds Set for Action: A rise in serious crimes or asylum rejections can trigger a suspension of visa-free travel.
• Selective Suspension: The law enables the EU to target specific individuals, such as government officials, responsible for violations, instead of applying sanctions to entire populations.
• Impacts on Business and Leisure Travel: The new rules could affect business mobility and tourism, with longer wait times for visas and potential disruption to seamless travel.