EU Council Approves New Rules for Suspending Visa‑Free Travel

Key Point  

• The EU Council has strengthened its ability to suspend visa‑free travel for third countries

Third Country Visa Travel Rules  

On 17 November 2025, the Council of the European Union formally approved new rules that strengthen the EU’s visa suspension mechanism. This mechanism enables the EU to suspend visa-free travel for nationals of third countries who currently enjoy short-term visa-free access to the Schengen Area. The update makes the process faster, more flexible and more responsive to changing circumstances.

Next Steps 

The regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal, expected in December 2025. 

The European Commission and member states will closely monitor third countries and decide whether to trigger suspension under the new rules.

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