Schengen
Schengen Area visa rules, 90/180-day calculator guidance, ETIAS updates, and border-free travel regulations across 27 European countries. Covers short-stay visas, overstay consequences, and transit rules.
Top questions about Schengen
Answers from VisaVerge guidesAre there any new restrictions or policy changes for Schengen visas in 2025?
No major new restrictions or policy changes have been announced by Schengen countries as of May 2025.
Read: India sets new record for Schengen visa applications, Spain leads demandWhich countries are implementing changes to their visa policies as of August 2025?
As of August 2025, the UK, India, and Saudi Arabia are implementing significant changes to their visa policies.
Read: August 2025 Immigration Updates: UK Fee Hikes, India Re 1 Visa, Saudi Work PermitsWhat changes are being made to the visa checks in Schengen Area for 2026?
Non-EU citizens entering the Schengen Area will provide fingerprints and facial images instead of receiving manual passport stamps under the Entry/Exit System.
Read: Europe Rolls Out Entry/exit System and Biometrics 2.0 for 2026 Visa ChecksWhat changes are happening to visa-free entry rules in 2026?
Starting in 2026, Mongolia’s visa-free entry rules will vary by nationality, with some countries requiring e-visas.
Read: Mongolia Extends Visa Exemption for 34 Countries Through 2026What are the new options for travelers whose Schengen visa applications are rejected after July 1, 2025?
Travelers can either submit a new visa application or file a formal judicial appeal in a German court.
Read: Germany Ends Visa Remonstration Procedure from July 1, 2025 Worldwide
Greek Embassy in Beijing Ends Visa Centres, Requires In-Person Schengen Submissions
Greece will end outsourced visa centers in Beijing by 2027, requiring all Schengen applicants to provide biometrics in person directly at the embassy.
Czech Government Proposes 30-Day Absence Limit Under Lex Ukraine VII, Threatens Temporary Protection
Czechia proposes 30-day absence limits and residence rules for Ukrainians under temporary protection, while weighing long-term 5-year permits…
European Commission Reports Full Entry/exit System Rollout Ahead of ETIAS Launch
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational as of April 2026, replacing passport stamps with digital…
32,000 Non-EU Nationals Blocked at EU Borders as Entry/exit System Hits Spain
The EU's digital EES blocked 32k travelers in 6 months. Spain has fully rolled out the system, replacing…
US Demands Biometric Access as Europe Seeks Visa Waiver Under Enhanced Border Security
U.S. demands direct biometric database access from EU countries as a condition for maintaining Visa Waiver Program status,…
Spanish Police Arrest Two Using Forged Colombian Passports to Evade Schengen Rules
Spanish Police arrest 35 in nationwide passport forgery crackdown using the new EU Entry/Exit System to detect biometric…
Germany’s Auswärtiges Amt Goes Digital, Cutting Backlogs for Opportunity Card Visas
Germany launches a fully digital Opportunity Card portal in 2026, cutting visa wait times from six months to…
Schengen Border Crossings Drop 26% as EU Boosts Returns and Tightens Controls
The 2026 State of Schengen Report shows irregular crossings fell 26% in 2025 as the EU implemented record-high…
21% Rise in Austria Naturalisations in Q1 2026, Statistics Austria Reports
Austria reports a 21.2% rise in naturalizations for Q1 2026, with 6,641 citizenships granted, led by Israeli and…
EU Rolls Out Visa Cascade for Thai Passport Holders Applying for Schengen Visas
The EU's new Visa Cascade for Thai residents offers 1, 2, and 5-year multiple-entry Schengen visas based on…