Published: 22nd Feb, 2024
Context
Kosovo recently secured visa-free access to the Schengen zone in Europe, world’s largest zone of free movement, becoming the last western Balkan non-European Union nation to be waived visa requirements.
What is Schengen Agreement?
- It started in 1985 as an intergovernmental project between five EU countries– France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg – and has gradually expanded to become the largest free travel area in the world.
- Schengen zone in Europe is the world’s largest zone of free movement, which provides visa free travel to signatory countries citizens.
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Schengen is the name of a small village in Luxembourg, on the border with Germany and France, where the Schengen Agreement and the Schengen Convention were signed in 1985 and in 1990 respectively. |
Which countries are part of Schengen?
- Today, the Schengen area covers over 4 million square kilometres with a population of almost 420 million people, and includes 27 countries:
- 23 of the 27 EU member states
- all members of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)
Kosovo’s Visa-Free Access
- The new regime enables Kosovars into the passport-free Schengen zone without a visa for periods of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- The reform is perceived in Pristina as another step towards full recognition and a boost for the ambition of the country that proclaimed independence in 2008 to join the European Union.
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