This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.
Today, the Commission adopted a Communication on the monitoring of the EU’s visa-free travel regimes setting out a consultation process. The Communication looks at the functioning of the EU’s visa-free regimes and identifies the main challenges in the areas of irregular migration and security.
The Visa Suspension Mechanism is set out in Article 8 of the Visa Regulation. Its main purpose is to enable a temporary suspension of the visa exemption in case of a sudden and substantial increase in irregular migration or security risks.
In her letter to the European Council of 20 March 2023, President von der Leyen stated that ‘the Commission will strengthen its monitoring of the visa policy alignment and will present a comprehensive report paving the way for a legislative proposal amending the visa suspension mechanism’. Following today’s Communication, the Commission is launching a consultation process to meet these objectives.
Visa-free travel brings significant economic, social, and cultural benefits to EU Member States and third countries. At the same time, the past years have shown that significant migration and security challenges can derive from visa-free travel. Insufficient visa alignment with the EU visa policy can turn a visa-free country into a transit hub for irregular entries to the EU. This was the case of visa-free entries into the Western Balkans by nationals of countries that are visa-required for the EU, increasing the number of irregular arrivals to the EU in 2022. The issue was addressed after immediate and extensive contacts between the Commission and Western Balkans partners, who made substantial progress in visa alignment. As a result, irregular arrivals to the EU have reduced. Additionally, investor citizenship schemes operated by visa-free third countries pose security risks including those related to infiltration of organised crime, money-laundering, tax evasion and corruption for the EU. These allow non-EU nationals to acquire the nationality of a visa-free country and enter visa free into the EU, by-passing the EU short stay visa procedure.
A strengthened monitoring and visa suspension mechanism
To address these challenges and prevent these risks effectively, existing rules concerning the monitoring of the functioning of visa-free regimes with third countries and the suspension of visa exemptions, should be re-assessed and improved.
With today’s Communication, the Commission is launching a consultation process with the European Parliament and the Council to identify how best to improve the EU’s visa suspension mechanism. A future revision of the rules could notably include:
- new grounds for suspension to address new risks;
- adapting the thresholds for triggering the mechanism;
- making the suspension procedure more efficient and flexible;
- strengthening of monitoring and reporting provisions.
Next Steps
The Commission will discuss with the European Parliament and the Council how to strengthen the visa policy toolbox with a revised Visa Suspension Mechanism.
On the basis of this discussion, the Commission will present in autumn 2023 a legislative proposal revising the Visa Suspension Mechanism.
Background
The EU has currently a visa free-regime in place with 61 non-EU countries. 25 countries have visa waiver agreements with the EU and 8 obtained visa exemption as a result of the successful completion of a visa liberalisation dialogue (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine). The remaining countries obtained visa exemption in accordance with the first harmonisation of EU rules (Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001). Additionally, on 19 April 2023, the Council and the European Parliament agreed to grant a visa exemption to Kosovo, following the successful completion of a visa liberalisation dialogue, which will enter into force as of 1 January 2024 at the latest.
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The Commission’s proactive efforts to enhance the monitoring and potential suspension of the EU’s visa-free travel regimes are commendable. It’s imperative to address irregular migration and security risks while preserving the substantial benefits of visa-free travel. A more efficient and adaptable visa suspension mechanism would help in mitigating risks and challenges associated with visa-free entries. As EU citizens, we look forward to the legislative proposal later this year, ensuring a safer and better-regulated travel environment.
The European Commission’s decision to revise the EU’s visa suspension mechanism is a prudent measure in the face of evolving migration and security challenges. While visa-free travel undoubtedly brings significant benefits, it’s crucial to have a robust system in place to handle potential risks and prevent misuse. The communication issued by the Commission acknowledging the need for a more efficient, flexible suspension procedure is reassuring. Furthermore, the intent to include new grounds for suspension and strengthen monitoring and reporting provisions is a testament to the EU’s commitment to security without significantly compromising the benefits of visa-free regimes. As we move towards a revised Visa Suspension Mechanism, it’s important to ensure a balanced approach that preserves the economic, social, and cultural advantages of visa-free travel while addressing potential irregularities and threats.