The Saudi passport is quietly gaining strength. Ranked 59th globally, it offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 87 countries. GCC borders are already wide open—Saudi citizens can move, work, and live freely across neighboring Gulf states. And now, Europe may be next.

Momentum is building for visa-free travel to Europe’s Schengen zone. For Saudi nationals, this would be a milestone. No more forms. No more embassy appointments. Just open access to 27 countries for short stays, all on a single passport

What is the Current Schengen Visa Policy for Saudi Citizens? 

As of 2024, Saudi passport holders can apply for a multiple-entry Schengen visa valid for up to five years. This visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen area—covering popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

The process is already more flexible than before. But the next step is bigger: a full exemption from the visa requirement for short stays.

EU Confirms Plans for Visa-Free Entry for Saudi Nationals

In early 2025, EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Christophe Farnaud confirmed that the European Union is actively working on Saudi nationals’ visa-free entry to the Schengen zone and exempting them from short-stay Schengen visa requirements.

The timeline hasn’t been announced, but the talks are well underway. Once approved, this exemption will mean that Saudi passport holders can travel freely across the 27 Schengen countries without any visa application.

This is part of the EU’s broader strategy to deepen ties with the GCC and expand people-to-people connections. It also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which encourages international openness and supports tourism, investment, and global partnerships.

What Exactly Will Change for Saudi Travelers?

Currently, a Saudi citizen needs to apply for a Schengen visa for short stays in Europe. The five-year, multi-entry visa makes this easier, but still involves forms, supporting documents, and fees.

With the expected visa exemption, that process would disappear altogether. Saudi nationals would still be allowed to stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day window, but they wouldn’t need to apply beforehand. Travel across the Schengen zone would become more flexible, spontaneous, and accessible, whether it’s a quick business trip or a last-minute summer getaway.

The countries included in the exemption would remain the same: all 27 Schengen member states, from the Netherlands and Portugal to Greece and Switzerland.

This would only apply to Saudi citizens holding a Saudi passport. Residents or expats living in Saudi Arabia would still require a visa based on their own nationality.

How This Fits into a Wider Regional Trend?

Saudi Arabia is not alone in this shift. Other Gulf nations—including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman—have already seen more relaxed visa arrangements with the EU. And Russia has also announced plans to offer visa-free entry to Saudi nationals by 2025.

Within the GCC, a Schengen-style travel initiative is also in the works: the GCC Grand Tours visa, which will eventually allow tourists to move between multiple Gulf countries on a single visa. While it hasn’t launched yet, it reflects a growing regional push for open borders and easier movement.

What Should Travelers Expect Next?

There’s no official implementation date yet. Travelers are advised to stay updated through announcements from the EU Delegation to Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Once the exemption takes effect, the change will be immediate: no visa, no paperwork, no fees. Just smooth travel to and within Europe.

Whether you’re planning a business trip to Brussels, a holiday in Paris, or a cultural tour through Spain, the door to Europe will soon be easier to walk through than ever before.

A New Chapter for Saudi Travel

The new policy change is a reflection of trust, progress, and a Kingdom stepping into the global spotlight. As borders ease and partnerships deepen, Saudi nationals are gaining access to more destinations, with fewer barriers.

The visa-free entry to Schengen zones for Saudi nationals marks a turning point. It signals that Saudi Arabia is being seen, and welcomed, not only as a visitor, but as a partner.

So when the policy takes effect, you won’t need more than a passport and a plan. The canals of Amsterdam, the mountains of Austria, or the coastlines of Croatia—they’ll all be just a flight away.

FAQs

Can Saudi passport holders travel to Europe without a visa in 2025?
Not yet, but the EU is working to exempt Saudi citizens from short-stay Schengen visa requirements.

What is the current Schengen visa rule for Saudi nationals?
Saudi citizens can currently apply for a 5-year multi-entry Schengen visa allowing short stays.

When will the Schengen visa exemption for Saudi citizens start?
A confirmed date hasn’t been announced, but discussions are actively underway between the EU and Saudi Arabia.

Will the visa exemption apply to all European countries?
It will apply to all 27 Schengen member states, but not necessarily to all EU countries outside the Schengen zone.

Can Saudi residents (non-citizens) also benefit from visa-free Schengen entry?
No. The exemption, once active, will apply only to Saudi passport holders.