KOSOVO – Visa-Free Travel with the EU

June 5, 2023

Starting in January 2024, citizens of Kosovo will no longer need a visa to travel to the countries of the European Union and stay for periods of up to 90 days within in a 180-day period. A reciprocal waiver will also exist for EU citizens traveling to Kosovo.

The change is part of a new law extending visa waivers to countries of the Western Balkans region. Visa-free travel for Kosovo was first proposed to the European Parliament. The move comes as Kosovo works to become a candidate country for EU membership.

The visa waiver for the EU will likely help to boost tourism to Kosovo, which is trying to build its tourism sector by showcasing the rich history of the country, along with rugged mountain vistas. Travel to Kosovo is generally regarded as safe, though the United Kingdom has recently issued an advisory for certain towns in northern Kosovo due to tensions between Kosovars and ethnic Serb populations in the region.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.