In the coming years, Serbian citizens traveling to the European Union will face a number of significant changes. Although the visa-free regime remains intact — holders of Serbian biometric passports can stay in Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period — new digital border control systems will soon come into effect.
SRBIJA NEWS – Starting from October 12, 2025, the EU will launch the Entry/Exit System (EES), which will replace traditional passport stamps. All travelers, including Serbian citizens, will be registered electronically at border crossings. The system will record the date and location of entry and exit, fingerprints, and facial images. This will allow authorities to automatically track compliance with the 90/180-day rule. You can read more about EES on the official Wikipedia page, or in Serbian sources such as BalkanTravel.rs and statt.rs.
The next major change is the introduction of ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), expected to go live in late 2026. Although it is not a visa, Serbian citizens will be required to obtain online travel authorization before entering the Schengen Area. The application process will include a short form and a €7 fee. Once approved, ETIAS will be valid for up to three years or until the passport expires. Detailed information is available on the Wikipedia ETIAS page and on etiasauthorisation.com.
As of October 13, 2024, the EU has also lifted the visa requirement for Serbian passports issued by the Coordination Directorate of the Serbian Ministry of the Interior, which applies to residents of Kosovo. This long-awaited decision ensures that all Serbian biometric passport holders can travel visa-free. The change was confirmed by the Council of the EU and noted by EY Global.
Additionally, Serbia officially joined the SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) in May 2025, streamlining euro transactions between Serbian and EU banks. This will significantly reduce transfer costs and increase financial integration with EU countries. Read more on the European Commission website.
The EU is also pressuring Serbia to fully align its visa policy with EU standards by the end of 2026. This includes harmonizing visa requirements for third-country nationals and improving migration control. Details of this alignment process can be found on Kosovo Online.
Meanwhile, reforms in EU passenger rights are being considered, particularly regarding flight delay and cancellation compensation. These new rules, if adopted, could limit reimbursements and will affect all travelers using EU airlines — including Serbian citizens. More on that is available via the Wikipedia page on air passenger rights.
In summary, while visa-free travel remains unchanged in principle, new digital systems — EES and ETIAS — will significantly impact how Serbian citizens enter and travel within the EU. Spontaneous travel will become more complicated, and travelers must prepare thoroughly by understanding the new rules, applying for authorizations in advance, and closely monitoring the duration of their stays.
