EU Plans to Extend Multiple-Entry Schengen Visas Beyond the Five-Year Limit
EU Proposes Extending Validity of Multiple-Entry Schengen Visas Beyond Five Years
The proposed change would not grant an automatic entitlement but would instead be applied selectively to travelers who demonstrate a consistent history of lawful visits within the Schengen area.
The European Union has unveiled its first comprehensive strategy on visa policy, opening the possibility for multiple-entry Schengen visas to remain valid longer than the current five-year maximum for trusted and frequent travelers.
Introduced by the European Commission in late January, the plan aims to update and standardize visa regulations across the Schengen zone. The reform is designed to simplify repeat travel for tourists and business visitors while reinforcing border management and safeguarding security standards.
Extending the current limit
Under the proposal, applicants classified as “bona fide” — individuals with a strong record of compliance, minimal migration risk, and verified travel credentials — could qualify for multiple-entry visas exceeding five years in validity.
Such visas would be granted on a case-by-case basis rather than automatically, targeting travelers who have consistently respected Schengen travel rules.
At present, multiple-entry visas are typically capped at five years. Extending their duration would reduce the need for frequent reapplications by regular visitors and help ease administrative workloads for consulates.
EU officials describe the initiative as part of a broader effort to enhance Europe’s global competitiveness. With countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada already offering longer-term visa options, policymakers argue that improving access for reliable travelers is necessary to sustain Europe’s attractiveness for tourism, investment, and business mobility.
Digital transformation and strengthened security
The strategy also proposes a complete shift toward digital visa processing, replacing traditional visa stickers with secure electronic visas. Integrated databases and upgraded border systems are intended to improve screening capabilities against irregular migration, organized crime, and security risks.
However, the final duration of extended visas may depend on technical considerations, including how long biometric data can be stored within EU border management systems. Implementing the changes will require amendments to the EU Visa Code as well as coordination among member states before new rules can be introduced.
Some measures could begin rolling out from 2026, while others are linked to longer-term legislative and technological developments.
Balancing easier travel with migration oversight
While the strategy introduces facilitation measures for low-risk, frequent travelers, it also reinforces visa policy as a mechanism for migration management and foreign policy coordination.
Future visa benefits may depend on partner countries’ cooperation in areas such as the readmission of nationals staying irregularly and compliance with broader security standards.
The Commission also outlined related initiatives, including a new system for evaluating visa-free arrangements with third countries and pilot “Legal Gateway Offices” intended to assist employers and skilled non-EU workers with immigration procedures.
Combined with broader efforts to attract international talent and reform asylum and migration management, the proposed overhaul signals a shift toward stronger EU-level coordination, digital processing, and enhanced compliance monitoring.
If approved, the reform could fundamentally reshape short-term travel to Europe, transforming the Schengen visa into a longer-term mobility instrument for selected travelers while preserving strict oversight across the wider migration framework.