To strengthen the tourism industry, Schengen states have relaxed visa regulations to grant long-term multi-entry visas and simplify short-stay processes for 13 partner countries?leading to a 13.6% increase in visa applications and an 18% increase in visitor arrivals across Europe in early 2025. These specific steps are part of the EU?s overall approach to revive travel demand after the pandemic and reshape the Schengen zone as an even more open and attractive destination compared to international competition.

Visa Surge Highlights Demand

Official data from the European Commission shows that over 9.7 million Schengen visas were granted in 2024?14.1% more than the previous year. Notably, more than half were multiple-entry visas, indicating growing demand for flexible, repeat travel. The visa refusal rate also dropped from 16% in 2023 to 14.8%, signaling a smoother, more applicant-friendly process across EU consulates.

Turkey and India Lead Application Growth

Among the top applicant countries were:

China: 1,779,255 applications
Turkey: 1,173,917
India: 1,108,239
Morocco: 606,800
Russia: 606,594

Turkey, which joined the EU?s revised visa system on July 15, 2025, now enjoys simplified access to long-term, multiple-entry visas. In 2024, over 993,000 Turkish applications were approved with an 85% success rate. This marks a turning point after years of bureaucratic friction between Ankara and Brussels.

India, included in the EU?s ?cascade visa? program from April 2024, now benefits from 2- and 5-year Schengen visas for travelers with good track records. Indian applications rose 14.6% year-over-year, although more than 165,000 were rejected, costing travelers an estimated ?136 crore (?15 million). Still, the new system is boosting confidence and making Europe a top destination for Indian tourists and professionals.

29 Schengen Countries Participate

These changes apply across the 29 Schengen countries, which now include:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

On January 1, 2025, Bulgaria and Romania became full Schengen members, with land and sea border checks removed. Cyprus, while not yet fully integrated, is preparing for future accession.

Simplified Short-Stay Access for 13 Nations

Beyond multi-year visas, the EU has also signed visa facilitation agreements with 13 countries to support short-stay travel (90 days in any 180-day period). These agreements include:

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine.

They offer:

Lower visa fees (usually ?35)
Faster processing
Simplified paperwork

Some, like Georgia and Moldova, already enjoy visa-free travel, while others see growing application volumes due to easier rules and better digital platforms.

Greece and Italy Propose Unified EU Travel Visa

During a tourism forum in Rome, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni proposed a single Schengen visa to allow seamless travel across multiple EU countries?such as Greece, Italy, and France?under one permit. She highlighted rising demand from India?s middle class and Chinese tourists, and called for a system aligned with modern travel habits.

The proposal earned support from Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who pledged to promote the idea at the upcoming Friends of the Western Balkans summit in New York. The concept would complement existing reforms by streamlining multi-country itineraries, while adhering to Schengen security standards.

Travel Boom in 2025

According to the European Travel Commission, tourism from Turkey, India, and the Balkans surged 18% in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Major airports in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Vienna, and Paris reported record visitor volumes, while Southern European destinations like Spain, Greece, Italy, and Portugal saw extended stays and higher off-season bookings.

The reforms are particularly appealing to students, digital nomads, and business travelers, who now benefit from easier, multi-entry access to the EU.

Schengen countries have eased visa rules to boost the tourism sector by introducing multi-entry visas for key markets like Turkey and India and simplifying short-stay access for 13 other nations, driving a sharp rise in applications and arrivals. This strategic shift aims to revitalize post-pandemic tourism and make Europe more accessible to the world.

A New Era for Schengen Mobility

Between visa liberalisations, increased access and high political will, the Schengen Area is becoming a world wide open passenger corridor. Whether it?s long-term multi-entry visas or simpler short-stay arrangements, the EU is ensuring ease of access for people all around the globe to visit, to stay and to come back.

As millions of travelers return to Europe, the future of Schengen travel is evident: It?s more inclusive, more flexible and more interconnected ? one visa at a time. (TTW)

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