Schengen space Information and news about Schengen countries

In Strasbourg, the EU parliament has voted to allow Swiss foreigners with a residence permit to travel through Schengen countries without applying to a visa.

At the moment, a Turkish or Serbian resident wanting to travel home for the holidays by road would have to cross Austria or Italy, thus applying for a special transit visa from the revelent consulate or embassy. With this change, permissions to cross Schengen countries will be granted for five days.

This measure is temporary until Switzerland joins the Schengen accord, at the earliest in 2008. This will allow tourists who had a apply for a Schengen visa to request a Swiss visa also and systematic identity checks on the borders will be abandonned. In return, Switzerland will have access to the European electronic crime database.