Risks for visa-free travel: EU introduces new control mechanisms

The EU is updating its rules on suspending visa-free travel for third countries. The new provisions provide more grounds for temporarily suspending visa-free travel. Find out what exactly will change, what risks this poses for Ukraine, and why visa-free travel is no longer considered a guaranteed right

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The European Union has agreed on new rules for suspending visa-free travel, which could affect 61 countries, including Ukraine. This was reported by Consilium Europa.

Although there is no immediate threat to Ukrainians at this stage, the adopted reform significantly expands the list of grounds on which visa-free travel can be restricted or canceled.

What is changing in EU visa policy?

The new rules are designed to make the visa suspension mechanism more flexible, responsive, and transparent. They will allow the EU to respond more quickly to violations by countries that have a visa-free regime, particularly in the areas of security, migration, or politics.

Once political agreement has been reached between the EU Council and the European Parliament in June 2025, the next step will be the formal adoption of the new rules, which are likely to enter into force by the end of the year.

New grounds for suspending visa-free travel

The updated mechanism has been supplemented with new, clearly defined criteria. In particular, the EU will be able to temporarily suspend visa-free travel in the following cases:

1. Incompatible visa policy

If a country with visa-free travel to the EU allows visa-free entry to citizens of countries that the EU considers risky, this may be grounds for temporary restrictions.

2. “Golden passports”

If a country grants citizenship in exchange for investment without the person having any real connection to the state, this will be considered a potential threat to security.

3. Hybrid threats

Inadequate document security, artificially created migration crises, or other instruments of political pressure (as Belarus has done) could all lead to the mechanism being applied.

4. Deteriorating relations with the EU

Systemic violations of human rights, international law, or the UN Charter could become a political basis for temporarily suspending visa-free travel.

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New thresholds

The EU has also introduced clear quantitative indicators that signal problems:

- a 30% or more increase in the number of refusals of entry, overstays, asylum requests, or crimes committed;

- if the approval rate for asylum applications falls below 20%, this is also considered a serious signal for action.

How long can visa-free travel be suspended?

The initial restriction may last up to 12 months (previously 9).

If necessary, it can be extended for another 24 months (previously 18).

If the problem is not resolved, the EU may permanently abolish the visa-free regime.

When do the restrictions not apply to everyone?

An important innovation is the possibility of targeted sanctions. If the violations concern government policy, the restrictions may apply only to officials and diplomats, and not to all citizens of the country.

What does this mean for Ukraine?

There is currently no direct cause for concern for Ukraine, but the new mechanism is a clear signal: visa-free travel is not a guarantee, but a responsibility.

Ukraine must maintain a transparent migration policy, avoid citizenship schemes, ensure political stability, respect human rights, and not shy away from cooperation with the EU in the field of security.

For countries seeking EU membership, this is also a message: European integration is not only about benefits, but also about obligations.

The reform shows that for the EU, visa liberalization is part of a strategic policy that should strengthen partnerships, not create risks. And although the suspension mechanism is more of a safeguard than a punishment, the new rules make it much more powerful.

An important reminder! It is important for Ukrainians not only to follow the news on EU visa policy, but also to be prepared for changes. Visit Ukraine's lawyers can always help you with complex migration issues - our team specializes in legalization, residence permits, permanent residence, temporary protection, and other migration issues.

So, if you have any questions about staying abroad, please contact Visit Ukraine specialists!

We remind you! Temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU has been extended until 2026, but can we be calm? Are changes, restrictions, and maybe even deportations possible? Read the answers to the hottest questions about status, risks, and future scenarios in an interview with Anna Fedoryshyna, a migration lawyer at Visit Ukraine.

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