European Parliament approves visa liberalisation decision for Kosovo citizens, visa-free travel to EU countries

(Patria) - Members of the European Parliament voted today at the plenary session on the decision on visa liberalisation for Kosovo. This was the last step towards lifting visas for citizens holding Kosovo passports.

In practice, this will mean that travel and stay in the European Union will be allowed for up to 90 days in any six-month period with passports issued by Kosovo, Euronews reported.

Official signing remains, which has already been announced on the European Parliament website for Wednesday. As stated in the text, the decision on visa liberalisation will be signed by the President of the European Parliament and a representative of the Swedish Presidency of the EU.

It should enter into force when ETIAS - the European Travel Information and Authorisation System - becomes operational, but no later than 1 January 2024.

Almost ten years ago, the European Commission gave the green light, i.e., it recommended to other EU bodies to introduce visa liberalisation. From that moment, the European Parliament has supported it. However, the delay occurred at the level of member states.