The European Commission is considering a thorough review of the visa suspension mechanism to make it sharper and easier to apply. So far, suspensions have been triggered by sudden and substantial increases in irregular migration or when there are security concerns in member states. Brussels now wants to add new grounds for action, including threats that come in a hybrid form, issues around golden passports or visas, and the failure of third countries to uphold European visa policy standards.
We must ensure that the visa policy framework cannot be exploited and that authorities have the power to act when abuses occur, said Margaritis Schinas, the vice president in charge of immigration and security. Reflecting on recent years, Brussels has concluded that the current framework lacks dynamism and needs further development. He stressed, New reasons for suspending visa facilitation should be added, and the suspension periods could be extended up to 36 months, with stronger monitoring obligations for all visa-exemption countries where problems have been identified.
Last year, roughly 150,000 asylum applications came from countries that do not require a visa. That figure is significant and shows that visa exemptions must not be used to circumvent controls, noted Ylva Johansson, the immigration commissioner. She also highlighted a second challenge: some third countries offer visa-free entry while exporting passports that may not require residence in the country. Citizens from these nations can obtain new citizenship while retaining risks to European security, which requires closer scrutiny, she added.
The visa exemption regime currently allows citizens from 60 countries to travel to the EU for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. A mechanism enabling temporary suspension during sudden surges in irregular migration was first introduced in 2013 and revised in 2017 to allow the Commission to activate it motu proprio. The Commission now proposes another amendment that the Council and the European Parliament must negotiate.
More repatriation
Brussels underscored the need for a robust visa policy alongside a stronger approach to repatriation. Returning illegal entrants to their country of origin is a priority as outlined in the return directive, with negotiations continuing on asylum and migration agreements. It remains a principle that repatriation should not be voluntary when it poses a risk to public safety. Today, under existing rules, member states decide whether those with a repatriation order should be forced to return. The aim is to make repatriation mandatory where evidence shows a link to security threats. The European Union issues thousands of return decisions each year, and in 2023, about 65,000 people were returned, reflecting a notable increase of roughly 20 percent, according to officials.
There will be no EU asylum and migration policy without a distinct focus on return. Europe will always be seen as a place of refuge for those fleeing war, persecution, and discrimination, but those without legitimate protection reasons should not remain. The message from Brussels is clear that those linked to security threats must be repatriated whenever evidence supports such action, according to high-level officials.