EU announces plan to extend 90-day rule for certain non-EU workers

"The European Commission has announced it will look into allowing certain non-EU professionals to stay in the EU beyond the current 90-day rule, as part of a future overall of its visa system. It also asked EU countries to make visa access "simpler and faster" for skilled workers. The European Commission will consider longer short-stay Schengen visas for certain professional categories as a part of the EU visa policy strategy, according to a plan presented in Brussels on Wednesday."

"These reflections will also explore the introduction of new legislation with a specific set of extended short-stay rules at EU level. At present, EU law allows stays within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within 180 days for both visa-free and visa-required travellers. But the EU Commission accepts that for certain professionals the 90-days rule is too restrictive."

"Some third country professionals who heavily rely on mobility between Member States such as touring artists, athletes attending sporting events, experts working on cross-border projects, work-force supporting the EU industries and services or truck drivers servicing EU businesses may require access to different Member States for more than 90 days within 180 days, without needing long stay or residence in the EU, the communication notes."

The European Commission will consider permitting longer short-stay Schengen visas for selected professional categories as part of an EU visa policy strategy. The Commission will work with Member States to identify pragmatic solutions to accommodate extended short stays for certain third-country nationals while ensuring security, economic benefit, and legal clarity for travellers. Reflections will explore new EU-level legislation setting specific extended short-stay rules. Current EU law allows stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, a limit that is too restrictive for some professionals. Touring artists, athletes, cross-border experts, industry-support workers and truck drivers may require access to multiple Member States for more than 90 days; pre-Schengen bilateral agreements further complicate the system.

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