Schengen Visas Now Issued Through a New Cascade System: A Major Shift in Travel Policy

Published on July 22, 2025

There’s been a major change to the Schengen visa system which enables travelers to visit multiple European countries from one visa. The Schengen Area has just introduced a new “cascade” process in adopting visas, that is expected to affect visitors and the travel and tourism industry in general. This measure is meant to facilitate access to the Schengen vis a for European tourists and businessmen and encourage them to explore the other EU countries. But this change also comes with a mixed bag of consequences for the travel industry and those of us wishing to travel.

The so-called new cascade system in visa issuance represents a tiered approach to travel across the Schengen zone. With the growing interconnectivity of travel between countries in Europe these changes could revolutionize / or make even more complex how tourists act within the region. Here, we dive into the ins and outs of this new system, what it means for future travelers and the tourism industry, as well as its perks and potential hiccups.

The New ‘Cascade’ System for Schengen Visas

The Schengen Area is an agreement among 27 European countries, most of them in the European Union, that have abolished internal border controls, to help travelers to traverse the countries with less resistance. Until now, every time travelers wanted to visit more than one Schengen country, they had to apply for a visa at a consulate of the country they planned to spend the most time or the first one they would enter the area.

This system has now, however, been reorganised under the new “cascade” system. The cascade approach is a more flexible and streamlined model that provides gradated choices for visas. Now, when a person wants to visit several Schengen countries but is not sure which country will be their main destination, he/she can file an application at the embassy or consulate of that designated country and can in the same way, visit the other Schengen countries as well.

The new system is part of an effort to streamline the system for those looking to move around Europe and would “improve mobility and increase the number of Schengen visas issued to the citizens of a country”, according to the proposals (pdf). The new visa procedure will ease the way for Schengen Territory countries to cooperate more efficiently and harmoniously and offer travelers fewer obstacles during their travels.

What the Cascade System Means for Travelers

For several thousands of travelers, the Schengen visa has never been easy to obtain. And if travelers wished to visit more than one European country, they had to apply for multiple visas depending on where they were entering and exiting. In the old way of doing business, this could cause confusion, delay and even a denied application.

This all will change with the new cascade system though, Savages said. The system envisions a less convoluted, more certain track for handing out visas, especially if travelers plan to visit several places in the Schengen zone. Instead of needing to get a visa from each country they plan to visit, tourists will now have to get only one visa to cover their entire journey, and with fewer bureaucratic hassles.

As a welcome move for tourism in Europe, it is about reducing friction in the traveller’s journey. It will be much easier to secure a Schengen visa under the new cascade system, and tourists will be able to cover more countries without necessarily having to travel there. With a more streamlined entry procedure, then, tourists are expected to visit Europe increasingly, now that it has become simpler to explore different parts of the continent.

Benefits of the Cascade System for the Travel Industry

The implementation of the cascade system is poised to bring several benefits to the travel industry, particularly for those involved in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Here are a few of the most significant advantages:

1. Streamlined Travel Experience

The new cascade system provides travelers with a more streamlined and predictable travel experience. By reducing the need for multiple visa applications, the process becomes easier and faster, giving travelers more time to enjoy their trips rather than dealing with bureaucracy. Tourism companies, travel agencies, and tour operators stand to benefit from this simplification, as tourists will be more likely to book extended trips or visit multiple destinations in the Schengen Area.

2. Increased Tourism and Economic Growth

As the process for obtaining a Schengen visa becomes more accessible, more international tourists are likely to visit Europe. The travel industry will benefit from the influx of visitors, and European countries will see increased revenues from tourism-related activities such as accommodation, dining, and excursions. The economic impact could be especially beneficial for countries that have previously seen fewer visitors, as the new system makes it easier for travelers to visit a wider variety of destinations.

3. Enhanced Regional Cooperation

The cascade system encourages greater collaboration between countries within the Schengen Area. By simplifying the visa process, countries can work together to make traveling within the zone more efficient and welcoming. This cooperation will likely lead to enhanced tourism packages and more travel deals that encompass multiple countries, further boosting the regional tourism industry.

4. Greater Flexibility for Business Travelers

The cascade system also benefits business travelers who need to visit multiple countries within the Schengen Area. Instead of applying for separate visas for each destination, business travelers can now apply for a single visa and attend multiple meetings or conferences across the region without the hassle of additional paperwork. This increase in ease of travel could drive business tourism, attracting more international professionals and investors to the Schengen Area.

Potential Challenges of the Cascade System

While the cascade system offers many advantages, it is not without its challenges. As the tourism and travel industries adjust to these changes, some potential concerns may arise:

1. Increased Pressure on Border Control

One of the potential drawbacks of a more relaxed visa system is the increased pressure it may place on border control agencies. As more people travel freely across the Schengen Area, the demands on immigration and customs officials will likely increase. Ensuring that security protocols are upheld while maintaining the ease of travel could prove to be a complex challenge.

2. Unequal Distribution of Tourists

While the cascade system makes it easier for travelers to visit multiple countries, it could also lead to an unequal distribution of tourists. Some countries may see a disproportionate number of visitors, while others may experience a decline in arrivals. Balancing tourist numbers across the Schengen Area will require careful planning and management from local governments and the travel industry to ensure that no destination is overwhelmed.

3. Risk of Visa Abuse

With the increased ease of obtaining a Schengen visa, there is a risk that some travelers might attempt to abuse the system. If not properly managed, the cascade system could be exploited by individuals seeking to overstay their visas or enter for purposes other than tourism or business. Strong enforcement and monitoring systems will be essential to ensure that the benefits of the new system are not undermined.

Conclusion: A Step Forward for European Travel

Inclusion of the cascade mechanism for Schengen visas is therefore an important novelty in the development of the travel industry and tourism in Europe. Making it easier for visitors to obtain a visa, it is poised to boost the number of leisure and business travelers to the Schengen Area. There will of course be hurdles to overcome, but surely a better answer is to make travel more efficient, and easier, not harder?

As Europe is still rebounding from the repercussions of the pandemic, with tourism as hot as ever, the cascade system is set to have a key role in how the tourism industry develops across the continent. According to Kylie Mowbray-Allen, Manager of Corporate Communications for Amtrak, European travelers will be able to go off the beaten path to a variety of destinations when visiting in the U.S., contributing to localized tourism economies.