The European Commission used 20 February 2026 to unveil a new Schengen-visa strategy that would allow carefully‐vetted travellers to receive multiple-entry visas lasting longer than five years. According to a background brief shared with European media, the goal is to reward so-called “trusted travellers”—people with a clean security record, solid travel history and biometric data already stored in EU systems—with long-term visas that eliminate repeated paperwork and consulate visits. For Czechia, which relies on repeat arrivals from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and fast-growing Asian markets, the proposal could be a game-changer. Prague Airport handled 4.1 million third-country passengers last year, and the national tourist board estimates that more than 40 % were on their second or subsequent visit.
![EU Sets Out Plan for 5-Year-Plus Schengen Visas, Opening Door to Easier Repeat Travel for Visitors to Czechia]()
At this juncture, companies and individual travellers looking to stay ahead of the rule changes can lean on VisaHQ’s specialists, who monitor Schengen updates in real time and pre-check documentation for the Czech Republic and all 26 member states. A dedicated portal at https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/ lets applicants compare visa types, upload biometric data and receive reminders for when the forthcoming multi-year permits become available, streamlining the process long before consulate slots open.
Travel-industry groups such as the Czech Events & Tourism Association immediately welcomed the plan, arguing that hassle-free re-entry would boost conference demand and encourage multinational companies to base regional teams in Prague or Brno. The Commission paper also links the longer visas to the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) and the €20 ETIAS travel authorisation fee coming later this year. Officials say the combination of automated border control and richer passenger data will make it easier for authorities—including the Czech Foreign Police—to spot over-stayers while giving legitimate travellers more certainty. Member states must now negotiate technical details—such as minimum income thresholds and insurance requirements—in the Council’s Visa Working Party. Czech diplomats told reporters they would push for safeguards against “passport-shopping” but broadly support the idea, citing the need to keep Czech factories and IT hubs supplied with visiting engineers and sales staff. If approved, the first five-year Schengen visas could be issued as early as mid-2027. Corporate mobility managers should start auditing employee travel histories this spring so that high-frequency visitors are ready to apply once consulates publish implementing rules. Travel-risk teams will also need to update policy documents to reflect stricter biometric-capture obligations that are tied to the new visa class.
At this juncture, companies and individual travellers looking to stay ahead of the rule changes can lean on VisaHQ’s specialists, who monitor Schengen updates in real time and pre-check documentation for the Czech Republic and all 26 member states. A dedicated portal at https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/ lets applicants compare visa types, upload biometric data and receive reminders for when the forthcoming multi-year permits become available, streamlining the process long before consulate slots open.
Travel-industry groups such as the Czech Events & Tourism Association immediately welcomed the plan, arguing that hassle-free re-entry would boost conference demand and encourage multinational companies to base regional teams in Prague or Brno. The Commission paper also links the longer visas to the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) and the €20 ETIAS travel authorisation fee coming later this year. Officials say the combination of automated border control and richer passenger data will make it easier for authorities—including the Czech Foreign Police—to spot over-stayers while giving legitimate travellers more certainty. Member states must now negotiate technical details—such as minimum income thresholds and insurance requirements—in the Council’s Visa Working Party. Czech diplomats told reporters they would push for safeguards against “passport-shopping” but broadly support the idea, citing the need to keep Czech factories and IT hubs supplied with visiting engineers and sales staff. If approved, the first five-year Schengen visas could be issued as early as mid-2027. Corporate mobility managers should start auditing employee travel histories this spring so that high-frequency visitors are ready to apply once consulates publish implementing rules. Travel-risk teams will also need to update policy documents to reflect stricter biometric-capture obligations that are tied to the new visa class.
