Kosovo citizens begin visa-free travel to the Schengen Area as of today, January 1, 2024.

As of today, January 1, 2024, Kosovo citizens are officially granted visa-free travel to the European Union and the Schengen Area, marking a landmark development in the region’s history. This policy permits Kosovo passport holders to travel to EU and Schengen Area countries for periods of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, without the need for a prior visa.

The journey to this significant day commenced when the European Commission proposed visa liberalization for Kosovo in 2016. Following this proposal, Kosovo diligently worked towards meeting the EU’s standards, as set in the Visa Liberalization Roadmap, successfully achieving all benchmarks by 2018. Over the subsequent years, the policy gradually took shape. In a crucial moment, the European Union formally adopted the visa-free travel policy for Kosovo’s passport holders in April 2023, following the approval of the EU Council and the endorsement by the European Parliament.

The new visa-free travel policy to the EU is expected to significantly boost the Kosovo passport ranking on the Guide Passport Index, reflecting increased travel freedom for its holders.

The implications of this development are multifaceted. Economically, it paves the way for increased trade and business interactions between Kosovo and EU nations. On a social and cultural level, it encourages greater connectivity and mutual understanding. Completing the visa liberalization for the Western Balkans, this move strengthens the EU’s engagement in a strategically significant region.With the commencement of visa-free travel to the EU, Kosovo steps into a new era of increased global mobility and international cooperation, fostering optimism about the country’s future in the European landscape.