EU adopts visa-free travel for Kosovo starting from 1 January 2024. Five EU countries do not recognise republic’s independence

The European Union has adopted visa-free travel for Kosovo starting from 1 January 2024, as per the website of the European Commission.

“Visa-free travel brings key benefits for citizens on both sides, strengthening further the EU relations with Kosovo. Kosovo has consistently fulfilled all benchmarks and continuously shown its commitment. With this achievement, all Western Balkan partners will soon have visa-free access to the EU,” the statement reads.

Kosovar passport holders will be allowed to travel to the EU without a visa — for a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day-long period.

As of today, five out of 27 EU member states do not recognise the independence of Kosovo — Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, and Romania.

In December 2022, Kosovo applied to join the European Union.