“Kosovo citizens will be allowed to travel to the EU and EU citizens to Kosovo without requiring a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period,” the written statement released after the vote at the EP General Assembly. information has been given.
Thus, the entire Western Balkans region was included in the scope of visa exemption with the EU’s visa-free travel zone, Schengen.
The decision will enter into force after its publication in the official gazette.
The visa exemption will come into effect on the date the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) becomes operational or on 1 January 2024. This date will be taken into account if the ETIAS comes into force before 2024.
Kosovo, along with other Western Balkan countries, was declared a “potential candidate” country at the EU Leaders’ Summit held in Thessaloniki, Greece in 2003.
The country’s unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 is currently not recognized by 5 EU countries, namely Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and the Greek Cypriot Administration.
Kosovo made an official application for EU membership in December 2022.