Good news! The Schengen visa reform plan is about to be implemented, making travel to Europe more convenient! In June 2019, the Council of the European Union officially approved the Schengen visa reform plan, which was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. According to the European Commission, the new Schengen visa reform plan will be implemented in six months, meaning that from January 2020, applicants preparing to travel to Schengen countries can start enjoying the various conveniences brought by the new policy.
1. More Convenient Application Process
The online application process is more widespread, allowing applicants to fill out, submit, and even sign applications online. This reduces the use of paper forms, making the application process electronic and convenient for applicants.
2. More Family-Friendly Applications
Children aged 6 to 18 may no longer need to pay visa fees.
3. Earlier Application Time for Better Travel Planning
Under the current Schengen visa policy, applicants can only submit their visa applications three months before their travel. After the reform, applicants can submit their applications six months in advance, undoubtedly allowing for more ample time to prepare for their trips, making itineraries more flexible.
4. Extended Visa Validity for Frequent Travelers
For travelers who need to frequently enter Schengen countries, as long as they have a good visa record, they can apply for a multiple-entry visa without needing to apply for a new visa each time they travel to Europe. Furthermore, this reform standardizes the validity period of multiple-entry visas across countries, with a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years, addressing the previous issue of varying validity periods for multiple-entry visas across countries.
5. Slight Adjustment of Visa Fees
The basic fee for short-term Schengen visas has been slightly increased from 60 euros to 80 euros. The official report indicates that the Schengen visa fee has not increased for 13 years since 2006, and this increase to 80 euros is primarily to maintain the operation of global visa centers, upgrade IT hardware and software to better serve applicants, and enhance the ability to identify security risks. Additionally, this fee will also be used to improve the speed of visa application processing.
Although the visa fee has increased, the extended validity period for multiple-entry visas can offset the rising costs of visa fees to some extent.
A Brief Overview: Which 26 Countries are Included in the Schengen Area?
Currently, the Schengen Area consists of 26 countries, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Malta.
Among these Schengen countries, many are not only popular tourist destinations but also preferred immigration destinations for numerous overseas investors, such as Greece, Portugal, and Spain. These countries boast beautiful scenery and unique characteristics, along with a range of investment immigration advantages.
Greece
Greece, a beautiful country with a coastline of approximately 15,000 kilometers and over 3,000 islands scattered across the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. Its harbors are interspersed, the islands are picturesque, the sunshine is abundant, and the beaches are soft and calm, attracting tourists from around the world. World Heritage sites such as the Acropolis of Athens, the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, the ruins of the ancient Olympic Stadium, and the labyrinth of Crete are stunning cultural landscapes that make Greece unforgettable.
As the strategic partnership between China and Greece strengthens, more and more investors are turning their attention to Greece. Through the Greek property investment immigration program, purchasing real estate starting from 250,000 euros allows the entire family across three generations to apply for Greek permanent residency visas, enabling them to travel freely across the 26 Schengen countries.
Advantages of the Greek Property Investment Immigration Program:
Low investment amount: Real estate can be purchased starting from 250,000 euros to meet the requirements;
Low threshold: No language, residency, business, or proof of funds requirements, nor immigration monitoring requirements;
Permanent residency: The entire family across three generations can apply for Greek permanent residency status;
Ability to travel freely across the 26 Schengen countries.
Portugal
Portugal boasts numerous golden sandy beaches, such as Praia de Tavira, Praia da Marinha, and Benagil Beach, with beautiful scenery. The charming coastline paints a picture of a paradise-like life in Portugal. With a mild climate and hospitable locals, Portugal not only nurtures kind-hearted residents but also produces mouth-watering culinary delights, making it a highly livable place.
Through the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program, investing in real estate starting from 350,000 euros allows the entire family across three generations to apply for the Portugal Golden Residence Permit visa, enjoying Portugal's generous benefits in education, healthcare, and retirement, while also being able to travel across Schengen countries. Immigrating to Portugal can be seen as finding a good living environment and a relaxed working atmosphere for oneself and one’s family.
Advantages of the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program:
One person applies, and the entire family across three generations can apply for the Portugal Golden Residence Permit visa;
Holders of the Portugal Golden Residence Permit visa can travel freely across the 26 Schengen countries;
Low residency requirements, and the ability to work and conduct business;
No language, educational, or proof of funds requirements;
Facilitated naturalization, allowing for EU citizenship benefits, equating to citizenship in 32 European countries.
Spain
Spain is known for its many beautiful sights, particularly its two representative cities: Madrid and Barcelona. Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a cultural and tourism center in Southern Europe, rich in historical and cultural heritage, with modern tourism facilities and a developed service industry. Barcelona, on the other hand, boasts a superior geographical location by the mountains and the sea, filled with cultural and romantic atmosphere, where ancient and modern civilizations combine, nurturing countless renowned designers and artists.
Through the Spain property investment immigration program, purchasing real estate starting from 500,000 euros allows the entire family across three generations to obtain long-term residency visas in Spain, enabling them to enjoy the beautiful scenery and pleasant environment of this tourist country, while also traveling freely across the 26 Schengen countries and enjoying multiple benefits.
Advantages of the Spain Property Investment Immigration Program:
One person applies, and three generations benefit;
Long-term residency status in an EU country: Spain is a member of the EU and also a Schengen country, allowing holders of the Spanish long-term residency visa to freely enter and exit the 26 Schengen countries, facilitating business and tourism;
No educational, language, or residency requirements, only one entry during the validity period is needed.
For those who are passionate about European culture, which of these Schengen countries do you desire? Feel free to call us for consultation: 400-138-2929.
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