In 2025, the Schengen Zone will officially expand, and this event is already affecting travel rules, visa policies, and the rights of second citizenship holders. For some, it means greater freedom: visa-free travel, simplified entry, and new opportunities for living and business. For others, it poses risks. Not all passports obtained through investment programs grant equal rights within the expanded Schengen area. Changes may affect the length of stay, visa requirements, and even migration status.
Our lawyers will help verify whether visa-free travel remains valid for your second passport after the expansion, prepare documentation packages for legal residence or business establishment in EU countries, assess the risks of visa cancellations, increased controls, and the consequences of visa regime violations.
Which Countries May Join Schengen in 2025?
After years of waiting, starting March 31, 2024, Romania and Bulgaria received visa-free access by air and sea, and as of January 1, 2025, they fully joined the Schengen Zone, including land borders.
Looking ahead to 2025, experts are also discussing the possible inclusion of other countries: Cyprus, which already participates in Schengen cooperation but still maintains internal border controls; and Croatia, whose EU membership gives it potential for full Schengen membership, although this process is still underway. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia are also being monitored—each aiming for EU accession followed by Schengen entry, but all face regulatory challenges.
If you already have a second passport or are planning a citizenship program, it is important to consider:
- Where does your passport grant visa-free entry into Schengen? Take into account not only the EU and Caribbean countries but also new entrants.
- What restrictions may arise? For example, visa procedures are simplified for Turkish citizens, but full visa-free access is not yet granted.
- Which citizenship programs will provide you with legal access to the zone? Consider countries whose passports ensure stable status within the expanded Schengen area.
Our legal team conducts passport compliance checks against the new Schengen requirements, selects and analyzes citizenship programs, supports the citizenship acquisition process, prepares documents, liaises with authorities, and provides legal protection of your freedom of movement, assets, and interests amid global changes.
How Will the Expansion Affect Freedom of Movement Within the EU?
The Schengen Zone unites most EU countries and several non-EU states, allowing travel between them without passport control. Citizens of countries with visa-free access to Schengen can stay within the zone for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa and without limits on the number of trips.
With Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen Zone, the territory expands, meaning:
- More countries with open borders for travel;
- More convenient transit through major hubs (e.g., Bucharest and Sofia airports);
- Unified visa rules and extension of the 90-day visa-free regime to new states.
How this impacts trip durations and routes:
- The actual area for visa-free stays increases, which is especially valuable for investors making frequent trips.
- There will be no passport checks when crossing land borders, saving time and simplifying logistics.
- Ability to fly through Romanian and Bulgarian airports without additional visa controls.
For countries only partially included in Schengen, further changes are expected, so it is important to monitor ongoing integration developments.
Visa Regimes and How They Will Change for Second Passport Holders
Many investors confuse the Schengen Zone with the European Union, but these are two distinct legal entities.
The Schengen Zone is an agreement to abolish passport control at internal borders between member countries. It includes 27 countries, some of which are not EU members (for example, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland).
The European Union is a political and economic union comprising 27 countries. Not all EU members are part of Schengen (for example, Cyprus), and not all Schengen members belong to the EU (for example, Liechtenstein).
Thus, having visa-free Schengen access does not grant the right to live or work in EU countries; it only allows free travel within them for a limited period.
In recent years, the EU has increased oversight of investment citizenship programs, particularly regarding transparency in applicant screening. In 2022, the European Commission suspended visa-free travel with Vanuatu, citing insufficient applicant verification. In 2023–2024, the EU discussed revising visa-free regimes with Antigua, Saint Kitts, and Dominica, especially after cases of “passport trading” without proper checks of source of funds and criminal background were uncovered.
Which Passports Will Provide the Best Access to the Schengen Zone After 2025?
The Global Mobility Index ranks passports based on the number of countries their holders can enter visa-free, with visa on arrival, or with an electronic authorization. Investors especially focus on free access to the Schengen Zone.
Here are the top investment citizenship programs with Schengen access:
Malta
The Maltese passport is one of the strongest in the world. The country is a member of both the EU and the Schengen Agreement. Advantages include:
- Visa-free entry to all Schengen countries;
- Full rights to reside, conduct business, and work anywhere in the EU;
- High reputation and stability.
Processing time: from 12 months via naturalization by investment.
Cyprus
Although Cyprus is not yet part of Schengen, it is actively advancing toward membership and already participates in the Schengen Information System. Advantages include:
- EU membership with the possibility to obtain permanent residence and citizenship;
- Automatic visa-free access upon official Schengen accession;
- Potential full membership within 1–2 years.
Turkey
The Turkish passport does not grant visa-free access to Schengen but allows simplified visa procedures and potential future improvements. Advantages include:
- Fast processing (up to 3 months);
- Possibility of obtaining long-term Schengen visas for business purposes;
- Participation in ongoing negotiations with the EU on visa liberalization.
Caribbean Countries (Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Grenada)
These countries offer passports with visa-free access to the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Advantages include:
- Fast processing times (from 3 to 6 months);
- Simple requirements (donation or real estate purchase);
- Visa-free access not only to Schengen but also to the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
However, in recent years, the EU has been considering revising visa-free arrangements with some Caribbean countries due to insufficient applicant vetting.
How to Choose a Passport with a Focus on Schengen Access
For investors planning frequent trips to Europe, the choice of a second passport should start with one key question: does this document provide visa-free access to the Schengen Zone, and how reliable will that access be in the long term? At first glance, many passports obtained through investment programs open the door to Europe. However, the reality is more complex: EU visa policies are dynamic, and agreements can be revised at any time.
When selecting a second citizenship, it is important to consider the current visa regime status, the country’s reputation, participation in automatic data exchange systems, and the likelihood that the Schengen Zone will either expand or restrict access for specific jurisdictions. For example, in 2022, the European Union suspended visa-free travel for Vanuatu due to concerns about the reliability of its CBI program. Similarly, in recent years, possible restrictions have been discussed for several Caribbean countries offering “golden passports” without adequate applicant vetting.
If your goal is regular visits to Europe, it is crucial to choose citizenship that guarantees verified and stable visa-free access to Schengen. The best options remain:
- Malta — passport of an EU and Schengen member country, granting full rights to reside and travel freely;
- Cyprus — EU member actively progressing toward Schengen accession (passport provides visa-free access to most European countries);
- Caribbean countries — fast and affordable programs but with risks of political pressure from the EU.
Processing times are also important. If speed is a priority, Caribbean countries can issue passports within 3–6 months, while Maltese citizenship requires a longer procedure but guarantees long-term stability.
We recommend choosing only recognized and vetted programs approved by international due diligence standards. Avoid risks by not applying for passports in jurisdictions with low control levels, as this can lead to visa-free regime suspensions or even citizenship revocation.
We Will Help You Choose a Passport with Maximum Visa Freedom
Our legal team specializes in selecting passports tailored to the client’s visa goals. We analyze not only the current visa regime but also forecast possible changes such as suspension of agreements, tightened controls, and political risks.
During the consultation stage, we review your migration history, birth citizenship, and the intended use of the second passport. Only after this do we recommend jurisdictions with reliable visa geography. For maximum security, we conduct a thorough legal due diligence. We assess how stable the visa-free status is, the country’s reputation within the EU, and compliance with international due diligence standards.
We do not offer “one-year” solutions. We select citizenships that will work for you regardless of political trends. Thanks to our experience, you will receive a passport ensuring stable access to Schengen, the UK, Asia, and other key global regions.
