MEP Barry Andrews (Renew) has asked the European Commission whether it has assessed the disproportionate administrative burdens faced by legally resident non-EU nationals in non-Schengen Member States such as Ireland and Cyprus when travelling for short stays within the Schengen area. In a parliamentary question submitted on 22 July 2026, Andrews highlighted that these residents, despite having already undergone immigration and security checks in their country of residence, are generally required to obtain Schengen visas for short visits to other Member States.
first, whether the Commission has assessed the current framework's impact on administrative burdens; second, whether it has considered mechanisms for facilitated short-stay mobility based on mutual recognition of residence permits; and third, whether it would be open to exploring options to reduce barriers while maintaining Schengen security standards. Andrews explicitly limits the proposal to short-stay mobility, stating it does not concern free movement or residence rights.
The policy orientation is towards reducing regulatory friction for a specific group of travellers without altering core Schengen rules. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will signal whether it is willing to consider targeted facilitation measures or prefers to maintain the status quo.
Legally resident non-EU nationals in non-Schengen states would benefit from reduced visa costs and processing times. National authorities in non-Schengen states might see reduced administrative workload. Schengen states could face security concerns if mutual recognition is not carefully calibrated. EU businesses and tourism sectors in Schengen states could see increased short-stay visitors from non-Schengen EU countries.