Saudi citizens can now travel to the EU's Schengen area visa-free. Find out what entry rules are in place now and what will change in the future for Saudi tourists

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Saudi citizens could soon gain visa-free access to the European Union’s Schengen zone, which encompasses 27 European countries. According to Christophe Farneau, the EU ambassador to Saudi Arabia, negotiations are currently underway to completely lift visa requirements for Saudis for short-stay visas.

Although a final agreement has not yet been reached, the move could allow Saudi citizens to visit Schengen countries without the need for prior visas, marking an important milestone in the development of relations between Saudi Arabia and Europe.

This article explains the current EU entry rules and the prospects for visa-free travel for Saudi citizens.

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Current EU entry rules for Saudi citizens

From 2024, Saudi passport holders will be able to apply for a multiple-entry short-stay Schengen visa (type C), which can be valid for up to 5 years. This visa allows you to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Although the process has been significantly simplified, it still requires certain documents (passport, travel insurance, proof of residence, itinerary, bank statements and purpose of travel), filling out an application and paying a fee (around €80).

However, the next step could be to completely waive the visa requirement for short-term stays in the Schengen area.

When will Saudi citizens be able to travel to the EU without a visa?

In January 2025, the EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Christophe Farneau, confirmed that the European Union is actively working to lift the visa requirement for Saudi citizens for short-term stays. However, the specific dates for the introduction of the visa-free regime have not yet been announced and negotiations are ongoing. Once this initiative is approved, Saudi citizens will be able to travel to the Schengen area without having to apply for a visa.

Which EU countries will Saudi citizens be able to visit without a visa?

The following countries are currently members of the Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Cyprus, Ireland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.

Which countries will also benefit from simplified entry into the EU?

Saudi Arabia is not the only country changing its visa policy. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman already have visa-free agreements with the EU.

What are the rules for visa-free entry to the EU?

Citizens of visa-free countries can enter without a travel permit if their journey meets the following conditions:

- Duration of stay: 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen area.

- Passport: must be valid for at least 3 months after the date of departure.

- Purpose: valid for tourism, business or family visits.

- Proof required: you may need to provide funds, insurance and information about your return/onward travel.

- ETIAS: starting in 2025, you will need to apply for an ETIAS for visa-free countries (not a visa, just an authorization).

- Border checks: you may be questioned at the border; officers may refuse entry if the conditions are not met.

Saudi Arabia Passport Ranking

Saudi Arabia currently ranks 59th in the world passport rankings, allowing its citizens to visit 87 countries visa-free or with a visa on arrival. This makes international travel much easier for Saudi travelers. Moreover, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are already open to Saudi citizens, allowing them to travel, work, and live freely in other countries in the region.

What is the GCC Grand Tours Visa?

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is also developing a new project - the GCC Grand Tours Tourist Visa, which will allow visitors to travel between several Gulf countries on a single visa. Although this initiative has not yet been implemented, it reflects a growing trend towards easier travel and opening borders in the region.

The change in visa policy is not only a convenience for Saudi citizens, but also an important signal about the strengthening of the country's position on the international stage. It indicates changes in global political relations and economic processes, where Saudi Arabia acts not only as a partner, but also as an important player on the world stage.

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Recall! From April 10, 2025, Brazil will restore visa requirements for citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia. We have already told you about the rules by which tourists will now visit this country.