Gulf Citizens May Soon Travel to Europe Without a Visa
The EU is moving toward visa-free travel for residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. Discover the latest updates and proposed timelines for unrestricted access.
To promote the free movement of people and goods, the European Union is gradually rolling out visa waiver rules for certain countries. Based on recent developments, it appears Gulf citizens may soon join this list. Here’s what you need to know about upcoming visa exemptions for the region.
Saudi Arabia’s visa exemption on the horizon
Statements from envoy Patrick SIMONNET suggest that citizens throughout the Gulf region will soon benefit from a blanket visa exemption. According to his remarks, the EU is actively working to waive visa requirements for all nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. He noted that this commitment was already outlined in the joint communication on the EU-Gulf Strategic Partnership.
Further clarification reveals that the exemption may take multiple forms. In practice, a new visa system is expected to be introduced, allowing Saudi travelers to obtain multiple-entry Schengen visas. While the exemption itself remains under discussion, this alternative pathway would provide Gulf nationals with greater flexibility to enter and move within EU member states.
Exemption proposed for Qatar and Kuwait
Both Qatar and Kuwait are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the European Commission has proposed visa-free travel for their citizens as well. Under this plan, nationals holding biometric ID cards from these countries will be permitted to visit EU member states for short-term purposes—whether for business, tourism, or family visits—without a visa.
The proposed exemption would allow stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This is currently a preliminary move: the proposal must be reviewed by the European Parliament, which will determine whether to approve the exemption. Should it pass, this would mark the beginning of a phased elimination of visa requirements for Gulf travelers.
UAE residents already enjoy visa-free access
The United Arab Emirates is also party to Gulf cooperation and has already secured visa-free travel to the EU. A formal exemption agreement was signed on 6 May 2015, and since then, UAE citizens have been able to enter the Schengen Zone without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This agreement aligns with existing EU visa waiver models and sets a precedent for neighboring Gulf states.
As these exemptions and proposals take shape, it’s clear that the visa requirement for Gulf nationals traveling to Europe is gradually being phased out. To benefit from these changes, travelers—both from the EU and Gulf countries—must hold a valid passport or official travel document.