In a landmark decision, the European Union has officially abolished visa requirements for holders of passports issued by Serbia’s Coordination Directorate, as stated in a regulation published in the Official Journal of the European Union this morning. It was noted that the decision will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU, i.e. today. This follows the signing of the regulation by senior EU officials on September 18, 2024.
The regulation, titled Regulation (EU) 2024/2495 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 September 2024, introduces amendments to Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 regarding Serbian passport holders issued by the Coordination Directorate of Serbia (referred to locally as Koordinaciona uprava).
The announcement, available in the Official Journal, marks a significant milestone in the EU’s evolving relationship with Serbian passport holders from Kosovo.
Details of the Official Decision
The document, signed in Strasbourg by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Hungary’s Minister for European Affairs, János Bóka, reads:
„Serbia, including holders of Serbian passports issued by the Coordination Directorate of Serbia (in Serbian: Koordinaciona uprava),“ thus amending the previous text, which had excluded these passport holders from visa-free travel to the EU.
With its publication in the Official Journal, the decision is legally binding across all EU member states, requiring them to equally apply the updated visa policy.
It was noted that the decision will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU, i.e. today.
A Year-Long Process Culminates in Official Publication
The publication of this regulation marks the culmination of a year-long process that began in November 2023 when EU institutions initiated discussions on the matter. The decision is particularly important for residents of Kosovo who hold these Serbian passports, as they had long been excluded from the benefits of visa-free travel.
The European Council had voted on the measure in July, clearing the way for the Coordination Directorate passports to be included in the visa liberalization regime. The publication in the Official Journal was the final step needed to make the decision enforceable, ending a process that had involved multiple rounds of voting and intense discussions.
Historical Context of the Coordination Directorate Passports
Serbia initially entered into a visa-free regime with the EU in 2009. However, at that time, citizens of Kosovo were excluded from this privilege. This exclusion created a significant disparity, particularly for those who had obtained Serbian passports between 2008 and 2009, as they enjoyed visa-free travel for the following decade.
In 2009, a special passport was introduced for Kosovo Serbs, issued by the Coordination Directorate. The issuance offices for these passports were relocated to Belgrade, further complicating access for Kosovo’s Serbian population. Since then, Kosovo’s government, supported by a significant portion of public and expert opinion, has consistently opposed the EU’s move to grant visa-free access to these passport holders. Pristina views these passports, issued by Serbian police authorities on Kosovo’s territory, as illegal and argues that the EU’s decision undermines the integration of Kosovo Serbs into the Republic of Kosovo.
A Key Moment for Kosovo Serbs
The decision’s publication in the Official Journal officially opens visa-free travel to the EU for Kosovo Serbs holding these passports, addressing a long-standing grievance. While Kosovo citizens holding Kosovo passports were granted visa-free access to the EU earlier this year, today’s decision resolves the issue for those who chose to maintain Serbian passports issued by the Coordination Directorate.
The process has had a significant impact on both the Serbian and Kosovo populations. Since the beginning of 2024, over 318,000 Kosovo citizens have applied for Kosovo passports, with approximately 10,500 of those applications coming from the Serbian minority. Meanwhile, the number of Coordination Directorate passport holders has steadily declined over the years.
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