6 Major changes announced to Schengen Visa from 2025

Highlights: EU introduced 6 Major changes for Schengen Visa from 2025

• Europe announced the introduction of six new changes to Schengen visas from 2025.
• Schengen will significantly change the travel and visa policies in the EU starting in 2025.
• Bulgaria and Romania will become full Schengen member states effective from January 1, 2025.
• Greece will expand its Golden Visa program, and the EU will roll out the EES and ETIAS by next year.
   

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Six new changes announced by Schengen countries from 2025

Below are the mentioned changes for Schengen countries from 2025:
 

• New changes in entry/exit system in EU travel
• Bulgaria and Romania will become Full Schengen member states on January 1, 2025
• Greece Expands Golden Visa Program & Spain May End the Scheme in 2025
• EU cities Introduced Hike for Tourist Taxes by Next year
• France will tighten Criteria for Multi-Year Residence Permit Applicants
• EU citizens traveling to the UK Must fulfill the payment criteria
   

Changes announced new changes in the entry/exit system in the EU travel information and authorization system by 2025

Schengen will bring significant changes to travel and policies in the EU by 2025. The most prominent changes that will roll out in 2025 are two advanced border and travel systems- the Entry/ Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). According to the EU's official website for the EES, the new system will start in 2025. The other change is the EU's new border system, which replaces manual passport stamping, bringing an advantage for member states and foreign travelers to the bloc.
 

The new system will also be effective for all travelers, regardless of whether they are permitted visa-free entry to the Schengen Area.
 

Unlike EES, which requires travelers to register in the system, ETAIS will only need to be obtained by visa-exempt visitors. Once ETIAS is executed, about 1.4 billion people from more than 60 countries must apply for the documentation before starting their trip to the country.
 

Bulgaria and Romania will become Full Schengen member states on January 1, 2025

From January 1, 2025, Bulgaria and Romania will become the entire Schengen Area. Bulgaria and Romania's full entry into the Schengen area means the two countries will no longer have internal border control with their neighbouring Schengen countries, which facilitates the movement of their residents and travelers.
 

Greece Expands Golden Visa Program & Spain May End the Scheme in 2025

Greece will introduce a new investment pathway focusing on the start-up sector by next year. By next year, applicants who invest in start-ups will be eligible for a Golda en visa. To obtain a Golden visa, an applicant must fulfill the following requirements:
 

• A minimum investment of €250,000 in start-ups that are listed on the National Register of Start-up
• Have minimum equity participation of 33 percent in the per capita of the company or voting rights
• Create at least two jobs in the first year of investment
• Maintain the workforce for at least five year
   

Though Greece is enhancing its Golden visa program, Spain wants to end the Golden visa via property investment.
 

EU cities Introduced Hike for Tourist Taxes by Next year

The towns to introduce Hike for Tourist Taxes by Next year:
 

• Portugal will introduce a fee for tourists who want to hike in ants regions for 30s routes. Under this decision, tourists over the age of 12 will have to pay a fee of €3 to hike in Madeira’s trails, and if someone violates the rule, they have to pay €50.
• Portugal’s Évora plans to also introduce a tourist tax in early 2025.
• Venice has decided to continue the taxation of €5 and impose higher fees for certain visitors. Last-minute visitors in Venice must pay €10 while visiting Venice on certain days of the week.
• Greece will also increase the tourist tax. Currently the fee is €0.5 which will be changed to €2
   

France tightens the criteria for Multi-Year Residence Permit Applicants

France will introduce easy and straight rules for Residency permits in 2025. These rules will be tightened for those who want to obtain a multi-year residency card. A candidate must prove language proficiency at the A2 level to apply for this visa. Applicants who wish to get a residency permit valid for ten years will need to get a lower intermediate level of French language proficiency of the B1 level.
 

EU citizens traveling to the UK Must fulfill the payment criteria

EU citizens who travel to the UK without a visa must hold an ETA, for which they have to pay a €11 fee. EU passport holders will be eligible to apply for an ETA from March 5, 2025, and they must present this document to enter the UK from April 2, 2025. Once the application is completed, the ETA will be issued within three days, and the document will be valid for two years.
 

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