Schengen visa: EU plans extended 90-day stays for six key professional categories
Truck drivers and athletes among workers included in proposed rules
DUBAI – The European Commission has announced plans to allow certain non-EU professionals to stay in the EU beyond the current 90-day limit within any 180-day period.
The move forms part of a broader overhaul of the EU visa system aimed at simplifying travel for skilled workers while stimulating economic growth. A strategy document presented in Brussels on January 29 outlined how six specific occupations could benefit from prolonged access to member states.
Currently, the Schengen rules permit visa-free and visa-required travellers to remain in the EU for up to 90 days within 180 days. Any stay beyond this requires a long-stay visa or residence permit. The Commission stated that “some third country professionals who heavily rely on mobility between Member States – such as touring artists, athletes attending sporting events, experts working on cross-border projects, work-force supporting the EU industries and services or truck drivers servicing EU businesses – may require access to different Member States for more than 90 days within 180 days, without needing long stay or residence in the EU.”
Targeted professions
To facilitate smoother travel experiences, the strategy identifies six occupations that could access EU member states for extended durations. These include touring artists, athletes participating in sporting competitions, specialists involved in cross-border projects, personnel supporting EU industries and services, and lorry drivers servicing EU enterprises.
The Commission confirmed it would “work closely with Member States to identify pragmatic solutions to accommodate extended short stays for selected categories of third-country nationals, ensuring a security and economic benefit for the Union, as well as legal clarity for travellers.” It added that the process may involve “the introduction of new legislation with a specific set of extended short-stay rules at EU level.”
Schengen visa access
The document noted that the current system is further complicated by bilateral agreements that allow nationals of specific third countries to remain beyond 90 days, but only within the borders of the Member State concerned. The Commission said it would “review the impact of existing bilateral agreements allowing extended stays, with a view to gradually phasing them out.”
As part of the strategy, the Commission also issued recommendations to Member States to attract highly skilled professionals, students, researchers, and entrepreneurs. These include digitised processes, fewer documents, shorter processing times, and improved intra-EU mobility.
The Commission stated that “visa policy is a strategic tool for Europe’s security and Europe’s competitiveness,” emphasising that a modern visa system “strengthens security and trust with partners while helping attract highly skilled professionals, innovative ideas and investment, and supports Europe’s position as a destination of choice for talent.”