From New Travel Rules to Golden Visas & Schengen Expansion: Key Changes Coming to EU in 2025

The next year, 2025, will bring significant changes to travel and policies in the EU.

While 2024 was filled with many developments and important decisions impacting both foreigners reaching the bloc and citizens of the EU, the next year is set to have new advancements, rules, and adjustments.

From the expansion of the Schengen Area to the launch of two new border systems, changes will not be missed in 2025. To prepare you for the main shifts, Schengen.News has compiled this article with some of the key updates coming to the EU next year. Here’s all you need to know:

Entry/Exit System & European Travel Information and Authorisation System Set to Rollout in 2025
One of the most important changes that will take place in 2025 is the rollout of two advanced border and travel systems – the Entry/ Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

The EU was set to implement the EES in November 2024. However, due to some problems that occurred along the way, including some member states expressing unreadiness, the authorities decided to postpone its launch.

According to the official website of the EU for the EES, the new border system is due to start in 2025. Additional information on a specific date is yet to be shared after the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting takes place.

EU’s new border system, which will replace manual passport stamping, will bring advantages for both member states and foreign travellers reaching the bloc.

The new system will affect all travellers, regardless of whether they are permitted visa-free entry to the Schengen Area or not. Registration will be done at the external border of the EU, and no action will be required before travellers start their trip.

The expected implementation of the ETIAS is also set for next year. However, unlike the EES, which will require all travellers to register in the system, an ETIAS will only need to be obtained by visa-exempt visitors. 

Once ETIAS is implemented, around 1.4 billion people from more than 60 countries will be required to apply for the document well in advance of starting their trip to the bloc. The exact launch date of the ETIAS has not yet been announced, but EES will become operational first, and then ETIAS will follow a few months later. 

The aim of these two systems is to strengthen the security of the European Union and the security of travellers. 

Bulgaria & Romania Will Become Full Schengen Member States on January 1, 2025 
Another important and long-awaited change that will take place next year is the entry of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Area through land borders. 

Bulgaria and Romania are already Schengen member states by air and sea, and on January 1, 2025, the two countries will become full members of the Schengen Area. 

The full entry of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Area means that the two countries will no longer have internal border controls with their neighbouring Schengen countries, permitting facilitated movement of their residents and travellers. 

Greece Expands Golden Visa Program & Spain May End the Scheme in 2025 
As part of its plan to diversify the Golden Visa Program, Greece will introduce a new investment pathway next year, which will be focused on the startup sector. 

As the Greek authorities have explained, the expansion means that next year, those who invest in startups will also be eligible for the country’s Golden Visa. 

To obtain a Greek Golden visa under the new startup investment pathway, foreigners will be required to meet several criteria listed below:

• Make a minimum investment of €250,000 in startups that are listed on the National Register of Startups. 
• Have maximum equity participation of 33 per cent in the capital of the company or voting rights. 
• Create at least two jobs in the first year of investment. 
• Maintain the workforce for at least five years. 

The new investment option to be eligible for a Greek Golden Visa still needs to be approved by the parliament. Once approved, this new option is expected to begin at the beginning of 2025. 

In contrast to Greece, which wants to enhance its program, Spain wants to end the Golden Visas via property investment. 

The Congress of Deputies in Spain has already approved a bill to end this type of investment option from the Golden Visa Program, and the plan for the new law to come into effect was for January 2025. 

However, following the decision of the Spanish Senate to veto the bill that would put an end to the Golden Visa Program, it is yet to be seen what will happen. 

Some European Cities Introduce or Hike Their Tourist Taxes Next Year 
Starting January 1, 2025, Portugal’s Madeira will have in place a fee for tourists who want to hike in any of the region’s 30 routes. 

Currently, Madeira has a tax for seven popular trails, and starting next year, the fee will apply to the rest of the routes. 

Under the country’s decision, all tourists who are over the age of 12 will have to pay a fee of €3 to hike in Madeira’s trails. Those who violate this requirement will face a €50 charge. 

By introducing such a fee, Madeira wants to protect the landscape of the island as well as improve the hiking experience of visitors. 

Portugal’s Évora plans to also introduce a tourist tax in early 2025. The exact fee is yet to be determined and shared. According to the authorities, the revenue from this tax is intended to help cover waste management, heritage preservation, and tourism promotion costs. 

In addition to the above-mentioned, the Italian authorities have decided to extend Venice’s tax and impose higher fees for certain visitors. 

The current €5 tourist tax in Venice will continue to apply to visitors throughout 2025, and this fee will double for some. 

Starting April 2025, last-minute visitors will be required to pay a fee of €10 when visiting Venice on certain days of the week. This hike is aimed at combating overtourism and improving the quality of life of Venetian citizens. 

Last but not least, Greece will also increase its tourist taxes. In 2025, those visiting Greece will have to pay a daily tax of €2 instead of the current €0.5. The tax will be further raised during the high season, between April and October, from the current €1.5 to €8. Cruise ship taxes will also see a hike in 2025. 

Other EU cities might also impose such taxes next year once the authorities make decisions on the matter. 

France Will Tighten Criteria for Multi-Year Residence Permit Applicants 
France will introduce stringent rules for foreigners applying for residence permits in 2025. The rules will specifically tighten for those who want to obtain multi-year residency cards (Cartes de séjour pluriannuelles). 

Candidates for this type of residence permit will have to prove language proficiency at the A2 level. 

As for those who want to obtain residence permits that remain valid for a period of ten years, they will be required to have a lower intermediate level of French language proficiency of the B1 level. 

The authorities are yet to announce the exact date when the new requirement will enter into force. 

EU Citizens Travelling to UK Will Need to Pay €11 Authorisation From April 2025 
While the changes mentioned above will mainly affect foreigners, there is also a change that will enter into force in 2025 that will impact EU citizens. 

Starting April 2025, citizens of the EU travelling to the UK without a visa will have to hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), for which they will have to pay an €11 fee. 

As the UK Home Office has explained, EU passport holders will be eligible to apply for an ETA from March 5, 2025, and they will need this document to be able to enter the territory of the UK from April 2, 2025. 

The requirement to apply for an ETA to enter the UK will apply to all EU citizens, including babies and children, who do not need a visa to enter the country or do not have permission to live, work or study in the UK. 

Once the application is completed, the ETA will be issued within three days, and the document will remain valid for two years. During these two years, EU citizens holding an ETA will be eligible to travel to the UK as many times as they want, provided that they do not stay more than 60 days without returning to their home country.

Source: https://schengen.news/from-new-travel-rules-to-golden-visas-schengen-expansion-key-changes-coming-to-eu-in-2025/