Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism

Summary:

Legislative initiative - tabled by the European Commission on 18 October 2023 - introducing amendments to Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism.

Further information:

Visa-free travel is seen as beneficial for the European Union (EU) and its partners around the globe. Under the EU's visa-free regime - a policy based on the principle of visa reciprocity - nationals from these countries can enter the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. It brings economic, diplomatic and cultural benefits, but it can also be a source of migration and security challenges.

The Visa Suspension Mechanism is a mechanism established by Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as a safeguard against the abuse of visa-free travel. It enables the temporary suspension of the visa exemption in case of a sudden and substantial increase in irregular migration or security risks. However, considering the increasing challenges stemming from irregular migration, and the threats to the security of the EU, it has become clear to the Commission that the mechanism required further strengthening and improvement.

In May 2023, the Commission adopted a Communication on the monitoring of the EU’s visa-free travel regimes setting out a consultation process. Taking into account the feedback provided by the EU institutions, Member States and other stakeholders, this draft law aims to adapt the suspension mechanism to the existing challenges, by amending certain provisions set out in Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806. The proposed amendments seek to expand the grounds to suspend visa-free regimes, increase the duration of the existing procedure and introduce an urgency procedure, and strengthen the Commission's monitoring and reporting obligations.

The proposed Regulation was adopted by the European Commission on 18 October 2023.

• Alternative Source 1

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 18/10/2023: Commission proposes a more robust suspension mechanism to visa-free travel https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_4961

European Commission: Questions and Answers on the revision of the suspension mechanism for visa-free travel and accompanying Report (18 October 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_4988

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News

Euronews, 18/10/2023: EU calls for tougher visa suspension rules to address security risks https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/10/18/eu-calls-for-tougher-visa-suspension-rules-to-address-security-risks

Reuters, 18/10/2023: EU proposes more robust suspension mechanism on visas to tackle migration problems https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-proposes-more-robust-suspension-mechanism-visas-tackle-migration-problems-2023-10-18/

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