In a significant development, Kosovo citizens holding Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate will now be able to travel visa-free to the Schengen Zone, following a recent decision by the European Union. This decision, published in the Official Gazette of the EU on September 18, 2024, will come into effect 20 days after its release.

Since 2009, Serbia has allowed its passport holders to travel visa-free to Schengen Zone countries, though an exception was made for individuals residing in Kosovo who were issued passports by the Serbian Coordination Directorate in Belgrade. These residents remained subject to visa requirements, despite the general visa liberalization granted to Serbian citizens. However, this situation is set to change.

The European Commission’s push for reform follows the broader visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens, which took effect on January 1, 2024. From that date, Kosovo citizens were granted the right to travel visa-free to EU countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, though the exemption initially did not apply to those holding Serbian passports issued in Kosovo.

Recognizing the evolving political landscape, the European Commission argued that the reasons for continuing visa restrictions on this group no longer existed. In April 2023, the Commission proposed to remove the remaining visa requirements, and by July 2023, the European Parliament approved the change. This move was seen as the final step toward ensuring equal travel rights for all citizens of the Western Balkans.

By amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, the EU aims to complete the process of visa liberalization across the region. This decision represents a milestone in EU-Western Balkans relations, allowing all citizens, regardless of their specific passport issuing authority, to enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen Zone.