The decision on visa liberalization for Kosovo was published on Tuesday in the Official Gazette of the European Union. With this action, the entire visa liberalization process for the citizens of Kosovo is formally completed. 

The decision is expected to enter into force on January 1, 2024 - from when citizens of Kosovo who possess biometric passports issued by the state of Kosovo will be able to travel without visas in what is known as the Schengen area and consists of 27 European countries. 

The decision published in the Official Journal of the EU is the one that was signed on April 19 by representatives of the European Parliament and those of the Council of the EU. 

In the decision it is written that the "exemption from the need for visas", i.e. the liberalization, cannot be implemented before the operational start of the travel system in Europe - ETIAS, or until January 1, 2024. This means that, if the operationalization of ETIAS - it is postponed beyond January 1, 2024 – which is expected to happen – the entry into force of the liberalization will not be postponed beyond that date. ETIAS will enable the verification of the data of third-country nationals – who do not need a visa – before they enter the Schengen area. 

Visa liberalization enables visa-free travel for only up to 90 days within six months - to any of the member states of the Schengen area. Visa-free travel must be for tourist visits, family matters or similar, and in no case imply a work permit or other benefits. 

Kosovo remains the only country in the Western Balkans whose citizens cannot move freely in the Schengen area. This, despite the fact that the European Commission, as early as 2018, has confirmed several times that Kosovo has fulfilled all the conditions for visa liberalization, but there have been several member countries that have constantly expressed reservations.