EC proposes abolition of visas for holders of Serbia-issued passports in Kosovo

The European Commission (EC) has proposed the abolition of visas for Kosovo citizens with passports issued by the Serbian Internal Affairs Ministry Coordination Directorate.

The EC has proposed to the European Parliament the amending of the Regulation EU 2018/1806 as regards to holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate, to exempt them from visa requirement when crossing the European Union (EU) external borders, for stays of no more than 90 days in a 180-day period.

Since the visa exemption for Kosovo passport holders enters into force on January 1, 2024, the European Commission considers that the reasons behind the exclusion of holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate from that visa exemption no longer exist, and that all citizens of the Western Balkan region should benefit from visa-free travel to the Schengen area.

Commenting on the visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in April that he believes the problem of the Kosovo Serbs who do not wish become Kosovo passport holders would be solved by the New Year.