Casablanca – Moroccan travelers could see changes to the Schengen visa process as the European Commission prepares to revise the EU’s common rules for short-stay visas. The Commission opened a public consultation on September 8 and will accept contributions until October 6, ahead of a possible legislative proposal in the first quarter of 2027.
The review could directly affect Morocco, which recorded around 620,000 Schengen visa applications in 2025 and ranked among the five largest applicant markets worldwide. The current Schengen visa fee for adults stands at €90.
The Commission says it will explore the feasibility of introducing a harmonized additional charge at EU level on top of the existing visa fee. It has not set an amount or a possible implementation date. It also says it could use revenue from the additional charge to support the development of the common EU visa policy.
The proposed changes would not only increase costs. The Commission also wants to make travel easier for reliable applicants and trusted business travelers.
One option would create common lists of verified companies in each third country or jurisdiction. Employees of those companies could receive faster processing, priority appointments or fewer supporting documents if the EU adopts the system. The Commission wants this approach to reduce differences between consulates and give companies operating across Europe more predictable procedures.
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The review would also examine how EU countries adapt visa rules locally, including requirements for supporting documents and the issuing of multiple-entry visas. The Commission says these practices currently vary and do not always reflect common EU priorities.
At the same time, Brussels wants stronger tools to respond when non-EU countries do not cooperate sufficiently on return and readmission. The Commission could introduce more flexible and faster visa restrictions in serious cases. It also wants to examine measures linked to border management, security, irregular migration and the fight against migrant smuggling.
The proposal would also consider targeted visa restrictions in response to serious political or security situations, including hostile actions, hybrid threats, information manipulation, the instrumentalization of migration, sabotage, espionage or open aggression.
The Commission says such measures should remain proportionate, targeted and reversible. It also proposes safeguards for human rights defenders, dissidents, independent journalists, civil society members and people facing humanitarian or exceptional circumstances.
The review remains at the consultation stage. The Commission has not adopted any new restriction targeting Moroccan nationals, and the final content and timing of the planned legislation can still change. Any future measure affecting a specific country or category of traveler would undergo a separate assessment.
