In the second year of visa liberalization, Kosovo has experienced a significant decline in asylum requests to the European Union, reversing the upward trend seen in 2024.
According to Eurostat data, while January marked the highest number of asylum applications from Kosovo citizens for the start of a year, the numbers dropped sharply in subsequent months, in some periods even falling below pre-liberalization levels.
Visa liberalization allows Kosovars to travel visa-free for up to 90 days within a six-month period to 29 Schengen Area countries, primarily for tourism, family visits, or similar purposes, and not for employment or other benefits.
The decline is particularly noticeable among children under 14, and the previous gender gap in asylum applications—favoring men—has nearly disappeared. Experts see this as a positive signal for Kosovo, reducing the risk that the EU will trigger its Visa Suspension Mechanism, which can temporarily revoke visa-free travel for countries showing abuse or a sharp increase in irregular migration.
Additionally, this month, the EU Council included Kosovo on the list of safe countries of origin, making it harder for its citizens to seek asylum and accelerating the return of migrants.
Analysts stress that maintaining discipline in the use of visa-free travel is crucial to preserve this privilege and ensure Kosovo’s stable relations with the European Union.
