Saudi citizens may soon enjoy visa-free travel within the European Union's (EU) Schengen area.
Promising increased accessibility and stronger ties between the regions, this move would grant Saudi citizens and passport holders seamless access to the 27 European nations within the EU. This plan to enhance access to the region reflects the significant transformation underway in the travel and business landscapes connecting Saudi Arabia and Europe, a transformation that promises increased accessibility and stronger ties between the regions.
Christophe Farnaud, the EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has confirmed that efforts are underway to completely exempt Saudi nationals from short-stay or Schengen visa requirements. This development builds upon recent changes that have already eased travel between Saudi Arabia and the Schengen area.
Notably, since April 2024, Saudi citizens, along with GCC nationals from the likes of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, have been eligible for multi-entry visas allowing for multiple short stays over a five-year period. Saudi passport holders can also now apply for an e-Visa when travelling to the UK, once approved, this online visa electronically links to a passport and remains valid for up to 2 years.
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With numerous new, daily direct flights now connecting Saudi Arabia to a wide selection of cities across Europe, this increased accessibility will only make ties between the regions even stronger, and allow for easier travel - for both leisure and business - between the two regions.
These changes are viewed as more than just a matter of convenience. They represent a commitment to fostering stronger connections between people and encouraging increased exchange between Saudi Arabia and Europe. Ambassador Farnaud has also emphasised Saudi Arabia's growing embrace of international tourism and highlighted the crucial role Europe plays in supporting this evolution. Increased tourism and simplified travel procedures are expected to cultivate greater understanding and a stronger sense of global community.
