Europe's Schengen visas are all set to go digital

EU member states and lawmakers have reached an agreement to transform the current Schengen visa system into a primarily digital process, eliminating the need for a physical sticker in passports.

Once formally adopted, the new law will enable most visa applicants to apply online, making the process "easier, cheaper, and faster," according to Matjaz Nemec, the lead MEP on the issue.

The change not only improves convenience but also enhances security within the Schengen area by reducing the risk of visa sticker falsification and theft, noted Sweden's Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, as Sweden currently holds the EU presidency.


The Schengen area comprises almost all EU member countries, with the exception of Cyprus, Ireland, Bulgaria, and Romania, with the latter two expected to join in the future.

Currently, visitors requiring a visa must obtain a Schengen sticker for their passport, but with the digitalization efforts, the visa system is transitioning towards a more streamlined and secure process.

Several countries, such as Australia, have already implemented similar digital visa systems, linking the online visa directly to the traveler's passport without the need for a physical sticker.

The incoming EU system will allow applicants to upload required documents and pay processing fees online, but certain cases, such as first-time applicants or individuals with new passports or changed biometric data, may still require an in-person appointment at a consulate or visa office.