The European Union is preparing to grant Saudi Arabia Schengen visa exemption.

18.04.2025 09:10

Turkey has been waiting for years to become a member of the European Union and to obtain Schengen visa exemption, while Saudi Arabia will benefit from this right. The European Union is making preparations to grant Schengen visa exemption to Saudi Arabian citizens.

Saudi Arabian citizens may soon be exempt from the Schengen visa required for entry into European Union countries. In statements to Gulf media, the European Union's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Christophe Farnaud, confirmed that efforts are underway to fully or temporarily exempt Saudi citizens from the Schengen visa requirements.

SHORT-TERM EXEMPTION HAS BEEN PROVIDED

Farnaud recalled that the European Commission accepted a regulation a year ago allowing Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman nationals to obtain a multiple-entry Schengen visa for short stays. Indicating that the visa exemption is a continuation of these steps, Farnaud stated that these changes represent a significant step not only for convenience but also for strengthening ties between Saudi Arabia and Europe and promoting regular exchanges.

VISAS WILL BE VALID FOR 5 YEARS

Additionally, Farnaud emphasized that Saudi Arabia is increasingly open to international tourism, highlighting that Europe plays an important role in supporting this transformation. If this new visa policy is approved, Saudi citizens will be able to travel to Europe multiple times within a five-year period with a single visa.