Italy, Greece, and France have recently taken a major step in shaping the future of travel across Europe. On July 18, 2025, these three countries announced a bold proposal for a new “European tourist visa” at a tourism forum in Rome. This move has sparked a lot of interest and questions among travelers, especially those from outside the European Union (EU), as well as among tourism businesses and policymakers. Here’s a detailed update on what has changed, who is affected, what actions are needed, and what this means for anyone planning to visit Europe in the coming years.
Summary of What Changed
As of July 21, 2025, the Schengen Area—a group of European countries that allows people to travel freely across their borders—remains fully in place and has even expanded recently. However, Italy 🇮🇹, Greece 🇬🇷, and France 🇫🇷 are now leading a push for a new, flexible European tourist visa. This visa is not meant to replace the Schengen visa but to work alongside it, making travel easier for people from outside the EU, especially those from countries like India and China.
The main change is the introduction of a proposal for a single visa that would let tourists visit multiple EU countries, including some that are not part of the Schengen Area. The goal is to reduce paperwork, lower costs, and make Europe more attractive for visitors who want to see more than one country during their trip.
Who Is Affected
This proposal mainly affects non-EU travelers—people who are not citizens of an EU country and who currently need a visa to visit Europe. Right now, these travelers often face different rules depending on whether they want to visit a Schengen country or a non-Schengen EU country. The new European tourist visa aims to create a single, easier process for visiting several countries at once.
Key groups affected include:
- Tourists from outside the EU: Especially those from countries with growing numbers of travelers, like India and China.
- Travel agencies and tour operators: Businesses that organize multi-country trips for tourists.
- EU member states: Especially those in southern Europe, which rely heavily on tourism.
- Non-Schengen EU countries and Balkan states: These countries could be included in the new visa system, making it easier for tourists to visit them as part of a larger European trip.
Effective Dates
It’s important to note that the European tourist visa is still just a proposal. As of July 2025, it has not been officially adopted or put into practice. There is no set date for when it might become available. The proposal is under discussion among EU countries and will need to go through several steps before it can be implemented. This includes negotiations, agreement on rules, and changes to EU laws.
Required Actions for Travelers and Stakeholders
Since the European tourist visa is not yet available, travelers should continue to follow the current rules for visiting Europe. Here’s what you need to do:
- If you are planning a trip to Europe soon: You must still apply for a Schengen visa if you want to visit countries in the Schengen Area, or follow the specific visa rules for non-Schengen EU countries.
- Check for updates: Keep an eye on official sources, such as the European Commission Migration and Home Affairs website, for the latest news on visa policies.
- Travel agencies and tour operators: Continue to advise clients based on current visa requirements. Be ready to adjust your offerings if the new visa is adopted in the future.
- Tourists interested in religious events in Italy: Italy’s special “Jubilee-Tourism” visa for 2025 is available for religious pilgrims. This visa has an online application and relaxed requirements, showing Italy’s commitment to making travel easier for special events.
Implications for Pending Applications
If you have already applied for a Schengen visa or another type of European visa, your application will be processed under the current rules. The new European tourist visa, if adopted, will not affect pending applications. Any changes will only apply to new applications after the visa is officially launched.
Background and Context
To understand why Italy, Greece, and France are pushing for this new visa, it helps to look at recent changes in European travel and border policies:
- Schengen Area Expansion: On January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area. This means more countries are now part of the group that allows free movement without border checks.
- Digital Border Systems: The EU is introducing new digital systems to make border checks faster and more secure. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will start in October 2025, and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will begin in late 2026. These systems will help track who enters and leaves the EU and make it easier to process travelers from outside Europe.
- Italy’s Event-Driven Visas: Italy’s “Jubilee-Tourism” visa for 2025 is an example of how some countries are already making it easier for certain groups of travelers to visit for special events.
Details of the European Tourist Visa Proposal
Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area
Announcement of the European tourist visa proposal
Current Schengen Area rules remain in place
Entry/Exit System (EES) implementation
European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) implementation
The new European tourist visa is designed to make travel across Europe simpler and more attractive, especially for people who want to visit several countries in one trip. Here’s how the process is expected to work if the proposal is adopted:
- Single Application: Travelers would fill out one online application to visit multiple EU countries, instead of applying separately for each country or for a Schengen visa.
- Streamlined Documentation: The visa would require fewer documents, with requirements that are the same for all participating countries.
- Digital Processing: The visa would be linked to the new digital border systems (EES and ETIAS), making approvals faster and improving security checks.
- Possible Expansion: The visa could be expanded to include non-Schengen EU countries and some Balkan states, making it even easier to plan multi-country trips.
Statements from Key Stakeholders
- Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Tourism Minister: She has been a strong voice for the new visa, saying it will make Europe more welcoming and flexible, especially for tourists from India and China.
- Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: He supports the proposal, saying it fits with Italy’s efforts to make visas easier and boost tourism.
- France: France has a history of supporting visa changes that help EU cooperation and security, and is backing this new plan.
Policy Implications and Practical Effects
If the European tourist visa is adopted, it could have several important effects:
- For Non-EU Travelers: The visa would make it much easier and cheaper to visit several European countries in one trip. This is especially helpful for travelers from countries with growing tourism, like India and China, who often want to see more than one country.
- For EU Member States: The new visa could bring more tourists and more money, especially to countries in southern Europe that rely on tourism.
- For Security: Any new visa system will need to follow strict security rules, including sharing information between countries and using digital systems to check travelers’ backgrounds.
Expert Analysis and Perspectives
- Tourism Industry: Many in the tourism business welcome the proposal, saying it will bring more visitors and help the industry recover after tough years.
- Security Experts: Some experts warn that the new visa must not weaken security. They say it’s important to keep strong checks in place to stop illegal migration and other risks.
- EU Institutions: The European Commission is focused on making border systems more digital and connected, which fits well with the new visa proposal.
Future Outlook and Pending Changes
- No End to Schengen: The Schengen Area is not ending. In fact, it has just grown bigger. The new visa is meant to work with Schengen, not replace it.
- Digital Transformation: The new digital border systems (EES and ETIAS) will change how people enter Europe, making things faster and safer for everyone.
- Next Steps: The European tourist visa proposal will need a lot of discussion and agreement among EU countries. It will also need to follow Schengen rules and may require new EU laws. There is no date yet for when the visa might become available.
What Should Travelers Do Now?
If you are planning to visit Italy, Greece, France, or any other European country soon, here’s what you should do:
- Apply for the right visa: Use the current Schengen visa process if you want to visit Schengen countries. You can find the official Schengen visa application form and instructions on the Schengen Visa Information Portal.
- Check for country-specific visas: If you want to visit a non-Schengen EU country, check that country’s official website for visa rules.
- Stay informed: Follow updates from the European Commission and national ministries for any news about the new European tourist visa.
- Prepare for digital changes: Be aware that new digital systems like EES and ETIAS are coming soon. These will affect how you enter and leave Europe, even if the new visa is not yet available.
Practical Guidance for Pending Applications
If you have already applied for a Schengen visa or another European visa, your application will be handled under the current rules. The new European tourist visa, if adopted, will only apply to new applications after it is launched. There is no need to change your plans or reapply at this time.
Key Takeaways
- Italy, Greece, and France are leading a proposal for a new European tourist visa.
- The Schengen Area remains in place and has recently expanded.
- The new visa is still a proposal and has not been adopted or implemented as of July 2025.
- Travelers should continue to use the current visa systems until further notice.
- The new visa, if adopted, will make it easier for non-EU travelers to visit multiple European countries with one application.
- Stay updated by checking official EU and national government websites for the latest information.
Official Resources
For the most reliable and up-to-date information on Schengen and European visa policies, visit the European Commission Migration and Home Affairs website. This site provides details on current rules, upcoming changes, and official announcements.
Conclusion
The push by Italy, Greece, and France for a new European tourist visa marks an important moment in the way Europe welcomes visitors from around the world. While the Schengen Area remains strong and has even grown, the proposed visa could make it much easier for people to explore more of Europe with less hassle. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this proposal is still under discussion and has not yet been put into action. Travelers should continue to follow current visa rules and watch for updates as Europe works toward a more connected and traveler-friendly future.
For now, the best advice is to plan your trip using the current visa systems, keep an eye on official sources for news, and be ready for changes that could make your next European adventure even easier.
Learn Today
European tourist visa
→ A proposed single visa allowing tourists to visit multiple EU countries, including some outside Schengen.
Schengen Area → A zone of European countries permitting free movement without internal border checks among them.
EES (Entry/Exit System) → A digital system tracking travelers entering and leaving the EU for better border management.
ETIAS → European Travel Information and Authorization System to pre-screen visa-exempt visitors electronically before EU travel.
Non-Schengen EU countries → EU members not part of Schengen Area, requiring separate visa or entry rules currently.
This Article in a Nutshell
Italy, Greece, and France proposed a new European tourist visa to simplify travel for non-EU tourists across multiple countries. While Schengen remains, this visa would streamline paperwork and include non-Schengen states. Pending EU approval, travelers should continue using current visa rules and stay informed on digital border updates.
— By VisaVerge.com
