The Council of the European Union has adopted new online visa applications for the Schengen area

On November 13, 2023, the Council of the European Union adopted new rules that allow visa applications for the Schengen area to be submitted online. The aim of these new rules is to make the visa application process more efficient and to ensure security in the Schengen area. According to Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlasky Gomez, the possibility of applying for Schengen visas online is an important improvement for citizens and will speed up the processing of applications. "This will simplify the application process for travelers and reduce the burden on national administrations, allowing them to respond more quickly and efficiently." One of the regulations adopted provides for the establishment of an EU visa application platform through which Schengen visa applications can be submitted, with some exceptions.