Previously, Kosovo was the only country in the Western Balkans whose citizens still needed a visa to travel to the EU. Strict requirements from EU member states and domestic disputes have delayed Kosovo's accession to Schengen for years.
Pristina airport is packed after Kosovo joined the Schengen visa-free zone on January 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters
“I feel as free as a bird now that I can travel around Europe,” said Habib Spahiu, who was traveling with his son to Austria. He was part of a group of 50 people drawn in a government-funded lottery to take part in the trip to mark the visa-free transition.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti welcomed the visitors at the airport, saying: “We have waited a long time, this is a long injustice but we have finally made it.”
The Schengen area allows more than 400 million people in the bloc to travel freely between member countries without border controls.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but has struggled to gain UN membership due to opposition from Serbia and several other countries.
Kosovo's statehood has been recognised by more than 110 countries, but its 1.8 million citizens could previously travel to only 20 other countries without a visa.
Kosovo remains one of Europe’s poorest countries and many see the visa-free status as a chance to find work. “I’m going to Germany for a few days to look for work and then I’ll come back to apply for a work visa,” said one construction worker.
The Kosovo government has asked people not to contravene Schengen rules, which stipulate that people can stay for 90 days out of a total of 180 days as tourists but cannot work.
Bui Huy (according to Reuters)
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