The European Union is returning to standard Schengen visa issuance rules for Ethiopian citizens. On May 18, 2026, the EU Council decided to lift the temporary restrictions that had been in place since 2024, and officially announced this in a press release on May 19. For the tourism market, this is important news, as it lowers administrative barriers for trips to Schengen Area countries and makes travel planning more predictable.
This is not about a visa-free regime, but specifically about the return to the usual Schengen procedure. According to the EU Council, the decision was made after the European Commission assessed Ethiopia's cooperation with member states on issues of citizen identification, the issuance of emergency travel documents, and the organization of returns. Thus, the basis for lifting the restrictions was improved cooperation, rather than a separate political decision regarding tourism.
The practical effect for travelers is already clear. Poland, in its consular notice for Ethiopia, specified that multiple-entry Schengen visas can once again be issued to Ethiopian citizens, holders of official and diplomatic passports are again exempt from the visa fee, and the standard processing time for applications is reduced to 15 calendar days. The notice also stated that these changes are effective from May 18, 2026.
For tourists, this primarily means simpler travel planning to Europe. A multiple-entry visa is important for those who want to combine several trips in one season, visit several Schengen countries, or avoid undergoing the full procedure before each individual journey. The reduction in the standard processing time also makes booking flights and accommodation less risky, especially during periods of high summer demand.
At the same time, the news does not mean automatic simplification for all categories of applicants without exception. Ethiopian citizens, as before, must submit a full set of documents and meet the requirements of the Schengen visa system. However, the process itself is once again closer to standard practice, without the additional restrictions that complicated travel for nearly two years.
For the European tourism sector, this is more of a specific but illustrative signal. In the field of international travel, visa rules directly affect demand, especially when it comes to distant markets, where trips are usually planned in advance and often combined with visits to several countries. The return to the usual procedure will not create an immediate jump in tourist flow on its own, but it removes part of the uncertainty for travelers and the tourism business.
Therefore, the main change is that for Ethiopian citizens, the Schengen visa will once again be issued according to more familiar rules. For tourists, this means more predictable timelines, the possibility to once again apply for multiple-entry, and overall less complex preparation for trips to Europe.