EU visa agreements with non-EU countries

Visa-free regime

The EU currently has a visa-free regime in place with 60 non-EU countries, two special administrative regions of China (Hong Kong and Macao) and two territorial authorities that are not recognised as states by at least one EU member state (Taiwan and Kosovo*).

Under this regime, non-EU citizens of those visa-exempt countries, regions and territorial authorities can enter the Schengen area for short stays without needing a visa, subject to any specific passport requirements applicable to their nationality.

The EU aims to achieve full visa reciprocity, which happens when citizens of Schengen area countries do not need a visa to visit countries whose citizens also do not need a visa to visit the Schengen area. Today, the EU has achieved visa reciprocity with all visa-exempt non-EU countries, except the United States. Citizens of Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania still need a visa to visit the United States.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Simplified visa procedure

The EU has visa facilitation agreements in place with some non-EU countries. Under this simplified visa regime, non-EU citizens enjoy facilitated procedures for entering the Schengen area for 90 days within any 180-day period.

Facilitated procedures for issuing visas include:

• a simplification of the supporting documents needed
• reduced or no fees for certain categories of applicants
• faster processing times for visa applications
• provisions on issuing multiple-entry visas with extended validity

Suspension of visa agreements

The EU can suspend visa waiver or visa facilitation agreements when a country no longer satisfies the conditions of the agreement. The general rules of the EU visa code then apply.

Suspensions can be triggered by an EU member state or by the European Commission.

Currently three agreements are partially or fully suspended:

• Russia
• Belarus
• Vanuatu

More information

• EU visa policy (background information)
• The Schengen area explained (background information)
• The Schengen visa (infographic)