What is visa liberalization?

Visa liberalization means free movement without a visa in the Schengen area. Citizens of Kosovo with biometric passports will enjoy the right to travel without visas starting from January 1, 2024. Visa-free travel will be possible for short-term tourist, cultural, sports visits, participation in various events as well as visits to relatives or friends. The stay will be possible for up to 90 days within the period of 180 days.

In which countries can you travel without a visa?

The countries where you can travel without a visa are:

a) EU Member States that are part of the Schengen area

b) EU Member States that are not yet part of the Schengen area, but implement the Schengen acquis legislation: Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania

c) Other Schengen states which are not members of the EU: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Who can benefit from visa-free travel?

From January 1, 2024, the visa regime will be removed for all citizens of Kosovo.

All citizens of the country who possess biometric passports will have the right to travel without visas. However, during the trip, citizens must have with them information and proof of their financial situation, the purpose of the visit, the place where they will stay, sufficient financial cover for the days of the visit. You should always have the correct information about your residence address and phone numbers with you if you are going to stay with your friends or relatives. The border police of the Schengen state has the right to deny entry to any citizen if you do not have sufficient information and documents justifying the purpose of the visit and covering the costs during your stay there.

Does liberalization mean employment abroad?

Visa liberalization in no case means employment opportunities in Schengen countries. If you want to travel for employment purposes then you must apply for a work visa, always according to the criteria of the country from which you managed to secure a work contract.

Can you study there?

Liberalization of visas does not mean the possibility of education or study since the study period is longer than 90 days. If you want to study in one of the Schengen countries, then you must have a study visa that allows you to stay longer than 90 days. For this you should contact the embassy of the country in which you plan to study. In case you want to follow trainings, conferences, seminars, workshops, short summer or winter schools, 1-2 month education programs, short-term courses that do not require a stay longer than 90 days, then you can benefit from the process of visa liberalization and you do not need a visa.

What consequences can you have in case of possible violations?

In case of possible violations and abuse of visa-free travel, the personal consequences include: the imposition of a financial penalty, an official note in your passport and file showing the violation in the Schengen system, as well as a ban on entering the Schengen area for up to 5 years.

What is not allowed that leads to deportation or refusal of visa-free entry in the future?

First, the permitted 90-day stay within any 180-day period must not be exceeded. Secondly, you must not violate the legislation of the country you are visiting on employment rules, so if you are found working, you will be subject to removal from returning to Kosovo and a ban on entry in the future. Third, you must not cause problems for public safety and become a public burden. Fourth, you must not engage in criminal activities. Fifth, you must not apply for asylum.

What should we be careful to have with us?

When traveling to the Schengen area, citizens of Kosovo must have with them:

1. Valid biometric passport: Make sure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond the date of departure from the Schengen area.
2. Information and evidence on the purpose of travel: travel details, including return ticket bookings, if you are attending an event, the agenda, hotel reservations or the address and telephone numbers of your relatives if you will be staying with them.
3. Proof of the possession of sufficient financial means during the stay in the Schengen Area, which includes cash or credit card or credit card statement. Each country has different rules regarding the amount of funds you must have for 1 day of stay. For each latest information, each member state determines the amount; please consult the website of the respective Member States through which you intend to enter Schengen.
4. If traveling by car, the necessary car documentation (international driving license and green international car insurance card).

What happens if Kosovar citizens violate the rules of residence?

Kosovar citizens will be required to comply with certain requirements and rules, not only when entering EU countries but also during their stay in these countries. If Kosovar citizens violate these rules, they will be subject to forced removal or deportation, an action which is always accompanied by an entry ban of up to 5 years.

For a category of violations of residence rules, EU member states apply administrative fines, which go up to 3,000 euros. In case these sums are not paid, then the fined person will not be allowed to enter that country until he pays it with all the interest for the delay.

It is important to know which are these rules that Kosovars should not violate:

1. They must not violate the permitted period of stay, which is 90 days out of 180 days.
2. They must not violate local legislation, mainly that on employment. So if they are caught working, they become subject to removal and entry ban.
3. They must not become a problem for public safety, or engage in criminal activities.
4. They should not become a public burden. People who do not have shelter, food or other vital needs are a public burden.

Important

Visa-free entry to the European Union is not guaranteed. Entry may be refused by the border police if you do not have a valid passport with a sufficient term, you do not have documents proving the purpose of the trip and evidence that you have sufficient financial means for the planned stay in the Schengen area, or in the past you have exceeded 90 days of stay in the 180-day period.