The European Commission has issued opinions on internal border controls reintroduced by nine Schengen countries, including France, Germany and Italy. Brussels acknowledges security and migration concerns, but recommends gradually lifting these measures in favor of alternative tools.
Short-stay Schengen visa applications rose slightly in 2025. Consulates across the Schengen area received nearly 12 million applications, a figure that remains well below pre-pandemic levels.
Thai nationals residing in Thailand will now be able to obtain longer-validity multiple-entry Schengen visas more easily. The new system, however, does not amount to a visa exemption.
The 2026 State of Schengen report confirms the growing role of new digital tools at Europe’s borders. Following the full rollout of EES in April, the European Union is now preparing for the launch of ETIAS, expected in the final quarter of 2026.
As the Schengen Area marks its 40th anniversary, the European Commission has unveiled a bold roadmap to modernize border management. With a focus on digitizing visas, rolling out the EES and ETIAS systems, and strengthening cybersecurity, the EU is shaping a more seamless, secure, and digitally-driven Schengen zone. As the
Malta faces the risk of forced exclusion from the Schengen Area due to delays in implementing the new EES passport control system. In a statement released on Wednesday, Maltese MEP Peter Agius indicated that European Commission representatives confirmed to him in an informal meeting that Malta is at “real risk”
