Third country nationals may travel in EU for three months provided they have valid travel papers

Brussels, 10/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - At an initiative by Commissioner Antonio Vitorino, the European Commission adopted, on Tuesday, a proposal of directive fixing conditions allowing third country nationals to move freely within the EU. For this, they must have a valid travel document and, where necessary, a visa or a permit to stay. These nationals must also be able to justify they have sufficient means to cover their cost of stay and must not be prohibited from admission or compromise the public order of a Member State. In addition, third country nationals holding a permit to stay issued by a Member State are exempted from the visa obligation. This authorisation is limited to three months over any six month period. If they are contemplating a longer stay on the territory of a Member State, third country nationals must obtain a residence permit.

For those who have a legitimate interest for remaining more than six months in a Member State, the proposal provides for entry conditions with a view to displacement of several categories of persons whose situation cannot be assimilated to immigration (tourists, research workers, artists on tour, people visiting their families, hospitalisation and convalescence, etc.). It proposes introducing specific travel authorisation allowing such categories of people to move about during a maximum six months period without remaining more than three months on the territory of a single Member State.

This proposal of directive comes within the implementation of the Commission's legislative programme for 2000-2001 and the scoreboard for examination of progress made with a view to creating an Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. We recall that the area without border controls on persons has been enlarged to all EU Member States since 25 March 2001 (except the UK and Ireland) as well as to Norway and to Iceland, and that, in this area, third country nationals may move freely during a maximum period of three months. Under the cover of the new travel authorisation, this period may be prolonged up to six months.