Suspension Mechanism
Temporary suspension of visa-free travel to the Schengen area
Visa Suspension
Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2025/2441, sets out the EU’s visa suspension mechanism. It allows the temporary suspension of visa-free travel to the Schengen area for nationals of a third country when visa-free travel is abused or works against EU interests.
infoMonitoring & Reports
Since 2017, the Commission has been issuing annual reports on its usage of the mechanism.
Learn More trending_flatTriggering & Grounds
Member State or Commission Notification
The mechanism may be triggered by a Member State notification or by the Commission. Grounds include substantial increases in irregular migration, refused entries, unfounded asylum applications, lack of alignment with EU visa policy, operation of an investor citizenship scheme, or a deterioration in the Union's external relations with a third country listed in Annex II, including due to human rights violations.
Suspension Duration
Initial 12 Months
Suspension can initially last up to 12 months and may be extended for a further 24 months. During this period, the EU engages with the third country to address the issues and may apply the suspension in a targeted way, for example to government officials or diplomats.
Vanuatu Suspension
Active Suspension
Currently the visa waiver agreement with Vanuatu has been suspended under the suspension mechanism.
Georgia Passports Suspension
March 2026 - March 2027
The European Commission has suspended visa-free travel for Georgian holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports, effective from March 6, 2026, until March 6, 2027.
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