On 7 July 2026, the Council of the European Union published a compilation of 2025 annual reports from Local Schengen Cooperation (LSC) groups, covering consular visa operations in more than 70 countries. The document, transmitted by the Commission services to the Visa Working Party and the Mixed Committee (EU-Iceland/Norway and Switzerland/Liechtenstein), includes detailed reports from groups such as those in Albania and Algeria, highlighting trends in visa applications, fraud, and preparations for the Entry-Exit System (EES).
The compilation, based on reports from LSC groups operating in countries including Albania, Algeria, China, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, provides a snapshot of Schengen visa operations worldwide. For Albania, 16 Member States maintained diplomatic representations in 2025, with six represented by others for Schengen visas. The EU Delegation chaired two LSC meetings on 23 June and 18 September 2025, the latter focusing on EES rollout. The uniform visa approval rate stood at 93%, indicating a high acceptance rate for Albanian applicants.
In Algeria, 22 Schengen States were present, and nine LSC meetings were held during the year. Member States processed approximately 445,000 visa applications and issued around 310,000 visas, representing an 18% drop in applications and a 9% decline in visas issued compared to 2024. Key challenges identified included document fraud, intermediary interference in appointment booking, and visa shopping, where applicants apply at multiple consulates to increase chances of approval.
The document serves as a routine compilation of operational data, with no new policy measures or legislative proposals attached. It provides Member States and associated countries with a basis for assessing local cooperation effectiveness and identifying common challenges in visa processing. The reports underscore ongoing efforts to harmonise procedures and combat fraud, while also highlighting the impact of external factors such as reduced demand in Algeria.
For EU Member States' consulates, the reports offer comparative data to improve local cooperation and resource allocation. For visa applicants in countries like Albania, high approval rates suggest efficient processing, while in Algeria, the drop in applications may reflect economic or political factors affecting travel demand. For the European Commission and EU agencies, the compilation supports monitoring of visa policy implementation and preparations for the EES, which is expected to enhance border security but may increase administrative burdens on consulates. For travel and tourism sectors, visa processing efficiency directly affects visitor flows, with high approval rates in Albania potentially boosting tourism, while declines in Algeria could reduce travel from that market.
The compilation will inform discussions in the Visa Working Party and the Mixed Committee, potentially leading to recommendations for improving LSC coordination or addressing specific issues such as fraud and appointment systems. No immediate legislative action is anticipated, but the data may feed into broader reviews of the EU's common visa policy.