Heading to Europe in 2024? Here are the latest updates

2024-01-10

EU nationals can live and travel within the Schengen area freely without any restrictions. Although certain social security and tax requirements will be necessary, EU citizens do not require a visa. Non-EEA nationals can travel to the Schengen Area with a Schengen visa,  however, they cannot stay for longer than 90 days within a 180 period. Although this may seem simple, there are complexities that non-EEA citizens should consider.

This article will highlight some key considerations for travelling to the Schengen Zone in 2024.

What is the Schengen Zone?

The Schengen area is a border-free zone between several EU countries.  Although almost all EU countries are included within this zone, some exceptions do not permit visa-free travel.

The Schengen Area comprises 23 of the 27 EU Member States plus the four countries that form the EFTA. These countries are Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden Switzerland

Starting on January 1, 2024, Kosovo citizens were granted visa-free travel to European Union (EU) countries for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This reciprocal arrangement also permits EU citizens to visit Kosovo without a visa. This policy is part of a wider initiative involving the Western Balkans to facilitate visa-free travel to the EU for the region’s residents.

Beginning March 31, 2024, Bulgaria and Romania will partially join the Schengen Area, allowing for smoother air and sea travel to other Schengen countries without border checks. However, land border controls will remain in place for these countries until further discussions by the European Council.

Also, starting April 1, 2024, Bulgaria and Romania will start issuing standardized Schengen C visas, per recent EU directives.

Citizens who belong to countries within the Schengen zone may travel and spend as much time in those countries as desired.  For foreign nationals, a Schengen Visa is in place, which they can apply for to travel within the Schengen zone for up to 90 days.

What does the 90 180-day rule entail? 

The rule means that non-EEA nationals, including British citizens (post-Brexit), cannot spend more than 90 days within a 180-day period within the Schengen zone. If non-EU citizens intend to spend more than 90 consecutive days in the Schengen zone on a Schengen visa, applicants must apply for a different visa type.

The rule is, however, a little more complex, as there are limits to how the 90 days can be spent. Once non-EU citizens have spent their quota of 90 days, they may not return to the Schengen area for another 90 days. This means only up to 90 days in any 180-day period is possible.

How do non-EEA citizens apply for a Schengen visa? 

A Schengen visa is required for a short trip, lasting fewer than 90 days, to any part of the Schengen Area of European countries that have ended border controls.

A Schengen visa can be obtained as a single-entry visa, allowing the holder to enter the Schengen area once, or a multiple-entry visa, granted for several visits to the Schengen area for as long as it is valid.

Permissible activities include:

• Attending meetings.

• Visiting clients or trade fairs.

• Meeting or training at a business unit.

• Purchase and sale of products, business transactions and tenders.

• Attending an exhibition, conference, or seminar.

• Taking part in a cultural or sports event.

• Diplomatic visit (diplomats).

• Political visit.

Procedure  

Certain steps need to be followed to apply for a Schengen visa successfully. Applicants must submit their application for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country that they intend to visit, or – if they intend to visit more than one Schengen State, the consulate of the country of their primary destination (i.e., the main purpose of stay or longest stay).

If you intend to visit several Schengen States and the stays will be of equal length, you must apply at the Consulate of the first country you will visit.

Generally, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the Consulate with territorial competence for the country where you legally reside.

The procedure to apply includes:

• Fill out a Schengen visa application form on the correct website. The application form contains questions about basic information such as your name, date of birth, country of birth, passport number, and nationality.

• Ensure all relevant documents, application forms and fees are collected and correctly completed. Documents include;

1. A valid passport with an expiration date of at least three months after your departure from the Schengen area. In the case of a multiple-entry visa, the passport’s expiry date should be at least three months after the date of your departure from the last country visited
2. A photo in compliance with ICAO standards
3. Medical insurance covers emergency medical, hospitalisation, and repatriation (including in case of death)
4. You must provide proof of the purpose of your stay, financial means during your stay, accommodation, and the willingness to return to your home country after your stay

The Consulates can request additional documents.

• Book an appointment. Anyone who plans on entering the Schengen zone must make an appointment for an interview at his/her local embassy or consulate. The appointment can be booked via the embassy or online and should be made six months before leaving at the latest and two weeks at the earliest.

On the day of the appointment  

• Please be on time for the interview. Any delays could result in its cancellation.

• The process will involve scanning your  fingerprints if you have never obtained a Schengen visa (exemptions exist for specific categories of applicants)

• After the verification of the application, the application form information will be entered into the online system of the consulate or embassy, and they will receive a printed copy of your application. This process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

If you or your employees intend to conduct business in only one country of the Schengen member states, they must apply for a Schengen visa for Business at the embassy of that country or their home country. Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.

A Schengen visa costs;

• 80€ for adults;

• 40€ for children aged 6-12;

• 35€ for applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus;

• 60€ for applicants from Cabo Verde.

An additional fee may apply if you go through visa service centres, which sometimes collect applications on behalf of Consulates.

The visa fee can be waived for specific categories of applicants.

Timelines  

The visa application process usually takes 7-15 working days to complete. However, delays could extend to up to 45 days or more.

Under certain conditions, family members of EU or EEA citizens falling under the Free Movement Directive (FMD) are eligible for a free and accelerated visa procedure.

Update: The EU Is Launching New Entry Requirements. 

The European Union (EU) plans to introduce two separate but interconnected schemes affecting non-EU citizens travelling to most EU countries.  These are:

• The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated system for registering travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries each time they cross an EU external border.

• The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a travel authorisation system for citizens of non-EU countries who do not require a visa to enter the EU.

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) Update

The implementation of the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES) is now scheduled for 17 November 2024; it could be pushed back by a week if airports are not ready to deal with the extra controls. This postponement is intended to ensure a smooth rollout and avoid disruptions.

The EES will modernise border control by replacing manual passport stamping with an electronic system that records the entry and exit of non-EU travellers in the Schengen Area. It will also collect biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, to enhance security and track compliance with the 90-day travel limit within a 180-day period.

It will apply to both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travellers and will be used in conjunction with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in future.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch in early 2025. This system will require travellers from non-EU countries to obtain authorisation before visiting the Schengen Zone, further strengthening border security.

Applications for an ETIAS authorisation will be made online or via a mobile app. Applicants will be checked against EU information systems for borders and security. According to the European Commission, a travel authorisation will usually be issued within minutes.

However, some applicants may require further checks, which could delay authorisation for up to 30 days.

The ETIAS authorisation will last for three years (after which it will need to be renewed for future visits) or until the holder’s passport expires (whichever is sooner). It will cost €7 for people aged 18 to 70. However, it will be free for under-18s and over-70s.

UK nationals and their family members who have rights to reside in the EU under the Withdrawal Agreement (i.e. they were residents in an EU Member State at the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020) are exempt from ETIAS. They can travel to other EU/Schengen countries without an ETIAS authorisation if they hold documents proving their status.

Other non-EU nationals are exempt if they hold resident permits for any country using ETIAS.

According to the European Commission, the system will apply when entering 25 EU countries (all Member States except Cyprus and Ireland) and four non-EU countries (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein) that are part of the border-free Schengen area along with most EU Member States.

The system will apply to all nationals of countries not in the EU or Schengen when travelling to the 29 countries operating EES for short stays. Non-EU citizens who are legal residents or have long-stay visas to live in an EU Member State will be exempt from EES.

We will monitor both the EES and ETIAS and report related developments.

Looking ahead

If you need advice about the 90/180 rule or assistance submitting Schengen visa applications, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our services go beyond preparing and filing visa and work permit applications. We provide strategic and tailored services and support to meet the full spectrum of business immigration needs.

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