The visa suspension mechanism, established under Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, allows the EU to temporarily or permanently reintroduce visa requirements for nationals of countries enjoying visa-free access to the Schengen area. It was designed to respond to sudden increases in irregular migration or security risks, and has been triggered twice since its introduction — in 2019 in relation to Albania and in 2022 concerning Vanuatu. In October 2023, the European Commission proposed a revision of the regulation to make the mechanism more responsive to evolving security and migration challenges.

On 7 October 2025, Parliament endorsed the reform by 518 votes to 96, with 24 abstentions. The updated rules introduce new grounds for suspension, including hybrid threats such as state-sponsored instrumentalisation of migrants, investor citizenship schemes (“golden passports”), lack of alignment with EU visa policy, violations of the United Nations Charter or international human rights or humanitarian law, and non-compliance with international court decisions. Existing grounds, such as general security concerns and lack of cooperation on readmissions, remain in place. The legislation also allows targeted suspensions for government officials potentially responsible for a country’s human rights breaches or other violations. Thresholds for action have been set at 30% for substantial increases in overstays or serious criminal offences and 20% for low recognition rates of asylum applications, with the Commission able to adjust these thresholds in well-justified cases.

Following Parliament’s approval, the regulation must now be formally adopted by the Council. It will then be published in the EU Official Journal and enter into force 20 days later.