Citizens of Kosovo holding passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Office have been granted the right to short-term visa-free travel to the EU. We tell what is already known

From October 13, 2024, new regulations came into effect, according to which the right to visa-free travel to the EU was granted to citizens of Kosovo who hold Serbian passports. After this decision, the visa regime became the same for all countries of the Western Balkans, because in the region only citizens of Kosovo with Serbian passports had to obtain a visa for short-term trips to the EU.

The decision on the visa-free regime for citizens of Kosovo with Serbian passports was approved on September 18, when the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metzola, and the Minister for European Affairs, János Bóka, signed an agreement on this matter on behalf of Hungary.

On the same day, the resolution was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. At the time of publication, it was emphasized that the new changes will take effect 20 days after its publication.

Rules for visa-free travel to the EU for citizens of Kosovo with Serbian passports

A foreign passport is a mandatory document for visa-free visits to EU countries.

In addition, there are cases when the border guard may request one of the following documents during the control:

- Documents confirming the purpose of the trip (they may differ depending on your purpose, for example, if you are going on a trip - it can be a tourist voucher or hotel reservation; for a business event - a document about participation in a conference; for relatives - an invitation from friends or a member family).

- Return ticket (to confirm plans to return home).

- Confirmation of a sufficient amount of funds to stay in the EU - cash at the rate of approximately 45-50 euros per day, credit cards or traveler's checks, a bank statement to prove solvency.

- Health insurance policy valid throughout the EU.

- In case of traveling by car, a civil liability insurance policy.

It is worth noting that the visa-free regime is valid only for short-term trips, lasting up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Importantly! It is prohibited to work without a visa. The permitted purpose of entry is travel, visiting relatives, a short business meeting, a trip to a concert, sports competition, etc.

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Visa-free regime in the EU for citizens of the Western Balkan countries

Serbia

Serbia is not a member of the EU. The country applied for EU membership in 2009, but negotiations are still ongoing. However, since 2009, holders of Serbian passports have been allowed visa-free travel to the Schengen area, however, with the exception of holders of passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Office in Belgrade to citizens residing in Kosovo.

Kosovo

From January 1, 2024, the European Commission allowed visa-free travel for citizens of Kosovo. The simplified regime applies only to trips of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, this decision did not apply to citizens of Kosovo who have passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.

Citizens of Kosovo who have passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate

In November 2023, the European Commission proposed to abolish visa requirements for this category of citizens after the visa liberalization for Kosovo, as at that time they remained the only country subject to the visa regime from all the Western Balkans. The decision was made a little later and took effect on October 13, 2024.

It is worth noting that Serbia does not recognize the independence of Kosovo, which was declared in 2008, and Pristina, for its part, does not recognize Serbian passports issued by the Coordination Office, considering it an illegal authority.

We will remind you! Citizens of the 99 countries eligible for short-term visa-free travel to Israel must now apply for an ETA-IL permit before traveling. Currently, the procedure for obtaining it is voluntary, but from January 1, 2025, it will become a mandatory condition for visiting the state. We have already told you what will change for visa-free travelers in Israel very soon.

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