Briefing 
 

New rules on visas for short-stays in the EU 

Plenary is set to vote on Wednesday on the new EU Visa Code, establishing the procedures and conditions for issuing visas to enter the EU for short periods.

The law, already informally agreed with EU Ministers, simplifies procedures for requesting and issuing short-stay visas (for up to 90 days in any 180-day period). It will also be a tool to encourage non-EU countries to cooperate on migration.

Background

Currently, travellers from over one hundred countries are required to have a visa in order to enter the EU. The number of visa applications has increased by 50% in the last few years, from 10.2 million in 2009 to 15.2 million in 2016.

Procedure: ordinary legislative procedure, first reading agreement

2018/0061(COD)

Debate/vote: Wednesday, 17 April