EU Lawmakers Approved Visa Liberalisation with Kosovo

The European Parliament gives the final green light for visa-free travel to the EU for Kosovo citizens.

On April 18, the European Parliament approved a decision on visa liberalisation that will allow citizens of Kosovo to travel to the Schengen states without a visa by January 2024 at the latest.

The vote by the EU legislature in Strasbourg, France, was the last legal hurdle to granting visa-free travel in the 27-country Schengen area to Kosovo's citizens after member states gave their backing in March.

Citizens of Kosovo would be permitted to travel to the European Union without visas for periods of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on Twitter that the decision “is a victory for the people of Kosovo, for democracy and for European unity.”

Congratulations to the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo!

Today's @Europarl_EN decision on visa liberalization is a victory for the people of Kosovo, for democracy and for European unity.

Grateful for the consistent support of MEPs & allies throughout the European Union. 🇽🇰🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/e7FaibS8SP
— Vjosa Osmani (@VjosaOsmaniPRKS) April 18, 2023

The European Parliament said that the decision to lift visa requirements for citizens of Kosovo will take effect once the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) starts operating and, in any case, by 2024.

Kosovo Passport Will Be Stronger

Kosovo is the last country in the Western Balkans to be granted visa-free travel to the Schengen zone. It joins other countries in the region whose citizens have enjoyed the freedom of movement for years.

Kosovo's EU visa liberalisation will have a positive impact on Kosovo's passport standing.

Currently, Kosovo ranks 99 according to Henley and Partner's global passport ranking with access to 41 countries without a need for a visa.

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