Europe’s tourism sector receives a major boost as Schengen states implement sweeping visa reforms aimed at enhancing accessibility, easing application processes, and encouraging longer stays for travelers from India, Turkey, and 13 neighboring partner countries.
In a strategic move to reposition Europe as a top global tourism destination, all 29 Schengen member states have rolled out comprehensive visa reforms in 2025, offering long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas to eligible applicants and simplified short-stay options to 13 additional countries. These changes have already driven an 18% increase in international arrivals during the first half of the year, according to the European Travel Commission.
The reforms are a cornerstone of the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery strategy, aimed at simplifying mobility, encouraging repeat visits, and fostering closer ties with emerging markets.
Major Growth in Visa Issuance and Travel Demand
According to recent European Commission data, more than 9.7 million Schengen visas were issued in 2024, marking a 14.1% increase year-over-year. A notable 52% of those were multiple-entry visas, underscoring growing demand for flexible travel among business travelers, digital nomads, and leisure tourists alike.
The Schengen visa refusal rate fell from 16% in 2023 to 14.8% in 2024, reflecting more applicant-friendly systems and improved efficiency in consular operations across the bloc.
India and Turkey Lead the Application Surge
India and Turkey emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of the reforms.
- India saw 1.1 million applications in 2024, with the introduction of the “cascade visa” system in April granting 2- and 5-year visas to frequent travelers with clean records.
- Turkey officially entered the revised visa framework on July 15, 2025, allowing Turkish citizens easier access to long-term Schengen visas. Over 993,000 Turkish applications were approved last year, with an 85% success rate, reversing previous diplomatic frictions between Ankara and Brussels.
Other top applicant nations included:
- China: 1,779,255 applications
- Morocco: 606,800
- Russia: 606,594
India’s growing outbound travel sector—especially among the middle class, students, and tech professionals—has positioned the country as a critical partner in Europe’s tourism strategy. While over 165,000 Indian visa applications were rejected, the cascading system has renewed traveler confidence and improved planning for multi-country European tours.
29 Countries Now in the Schengen Zone
The new visa policies are in effect across all 29 Schengen members, including recent entrants Romania and Bulgaria, which officially joined on January 1, 2025. Land and sea border checks have been lifted, allowing smoother cross-border travel.
The complete list of Schengen members now includes:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Cyprus, although not yet fully integrated, is preparing for Schengen accession with upgraded border security and visa management systems.
Simplified Short-Stay Access for 13 Countries
In addition to long-term visas, the EU has signed visa facilitation agreements with 13 partner countries, granting easier short-stay access (90 days within 180 days). These include:
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine.
Benefits of these agreements:
- Reduced visa fees (typically €35)
- Streamlined application forms
- Faster processing timelines
Some countries, like Georgia and Moldova, already enjoy visa-free access, while others have reported a rise in applications due to reduced red tape and improved digital infrastructure.
Greece and Italy Propose Unified EU Tourist Visa
At a 2025 tourism forum in Rome, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni proposed a single pan-EU Schengen visa to facilitate seamless multi-country travel. The proposal emphasized high-demand markets like India and China, and sought to create a more integrated travel framework that mirrors modern global tourism habits.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed support, pledging to raise the proposal at the Friends of the Western Balkans summit in New York. If implemented, the unified visa would make planning European itineraries more efficient, particularly for long-haul travelers from Asia.
Record-Breaking Tourism in 2025
The visa reforms are already yielding economic benefits. Tourism from India, Turkey, and Balkan nations soared by 18% in early 2025, with cities like Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt seeing record passenger traffic. Southern European destinations such as Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Italy are reporting longer average stays and a sharp rise in off-season bookings.
These reforms are particularly attractive for:
- Students pursuing higher education in Europe
- Digital nomads leveraging long-term, flexible visas
- Business travelers seeking simplified multi-country access
According to the European Travel Commission, the outlook for summer and autumn 2025 remains strong, with a continued uptick in Schengen visa demand expected into 2026.
Conclusion: A More Open Schengen for the World
From visa liberalizations to increased accessibility and digital streamlining, the Schengen Area is embracing a more connected and inclusive future. Whether it’s granting 5-year multiple-entry visas or expanding facilitation to neighboring states, the EU is actively redefining global mobility standards.
As millions of travelers return to Europe, Schengen is emerging as a top-tier global travel corridor—welcoming, interconnected, and future-ready.
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