Kosovo joins Europe’s visa-free Schengen zone

The European Union’s long-awaited visa liberalization scheme allowing Kosovo nationals to travel to Europe’s borderless zone without a visa came into force on Monday, January 1, with the first travelers hailing it as a great relief.

The new regime, which entered into force at midnight, enables Kosovars into the passport-free Schengen zone without a visa for periods of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The reform is perceived in Pristina as another step towards full recognition and a boost for the ambition of the country that proclaimed independence in 2008 to join the European Union.

“This is a great relief … feels good,” businessman Rushit Sopi told AFP before boarding a Pristina-Vienna flight. He was among 20 winners of a quiz organized by the government within a public awareness campaign over the scheme.

The 48-year-old owner of a company manufacturing doors and windows flies regularly to the EU for business. “Each visa cost me €300 ($331). When I last changed my passport, I calculated that the EU visas alone in it cost me €2,500.”

European embassies in Pristina, notably those exposed to strong pressure to issue visas, such as the German consulate, had prepared for no visa D-Day. German ambassador Jorn Rohde himself issued the last visas to Kosovars a few days ago, stressing that the visa era was “finally closing.” He also invited locals to visit his country for this summer’s Euro football championship.

Emigration fears

Kosovars had awaited January 1 with great enthusiasm, perceiving it as a “historic day” as their country moves closer to the EU, local surveys showed. But they also blamed both Brussels and Pristina for such a long delay in lifting the visa regime.

Kosovo, with a population of 1.8 million, was the last of the six countries in the Western Balkans to receive the waiver.

With average wages at slightly above €400 and youth unemployment over 20%, Kosovo ranks among Europe’s poorest countries.

For the past two months, the government in Pristina has been conducting a campaign urging people not to misuse the freedom of travel by looking for jobs in the EU. Prime Minister Albin Kurti led the campaign himself, traveling throughout the country to explain the new regime benefits.

“This day is important. A great injustice is being removed and a great right is being gained,” he told the quiz winners at Pristina airport before they flew to Vienna.

The prime minister urged Kosovars “to respect the criteria, and wherever we travel, let’s not forget that our home is Kosovo.”

His deputy in charge of European integration, Besnik Bislimi, warned against the possible abuse of the regime which could lead to EU restrictive measures that would “harm the entire country.”