EU Commission Plans Revision of Schengen Visa Rules and Fees

The European Commission plans to update Schengen short-stay visa rules and fees. The new proposal will arrive in the first quarter of 2027. This change affects visits by non-EU citizens to Denmark and Sweden.

The EU wants to make travel easier for trusted business travellers. It plans to create shared lists of verified companies in non-EU countries. Staff from these companies could get fast-track visa processing and priority appointments. They might also need fewer supporting documents. Currently, different EU countries have their own rules for business travel. This creates confusion for companies that work across multiple borders.

The Commission also plans a unified extra visa charge at the EU level. This fee will be added on top of standard Schengen visa costs. Money raised will support the common visa policy. In 2024, Schengen nations received over 11.7 million short-stay visa applications. They issued nearly 10.3 million visas that year.

The new rules will also tighten controls on uncooperative non-EU countries. Restrictive measures could apply if security situations deteriorate. The EU aims to prevent illegal migration and security threats. Interested parties can submit feedback on the proposal until 6 October. (Source: The Local Sweden)