Saudi Arabia Steps Up Alongside Qatar, Oman and More as EU-GCC Summit 2026 Brings New Hope for Visa-Free Europe Travel

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman are seeking a major change in travel access to Europe, with discussions over a possible Schengen visa waiver gaining attention ahead of the second European Union–Gulf Cooperation Council (EU-GCC) Summit in Saudi Arabia on 24 October 2026. The proposed arrangement could eventually allow eligible citizens of these five Gulf nations to visit popular European destinations without applying for a short-stay Schengen visa. The development forms part of wider efforts to strengthen tourism, business mobility and economic cooperation between Europe and the Gulf. However, the waiver has not been approved, and existing visa rules remain in force.

The renewed attention follows statements attributed to GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi indicating that the five countries are approaching the stage of formally beginning the visa-waiver process. A potential announcement at the October summit has been reported, but the European Council has not officially confirmed that negotiations will be launched during the meeting. The summit itself is confirmed for 24 October 2026, according to the European Council’s announcement published on 4 September 2026. The event will bring together leaders from the EU and the six GCC member states to advance their strategic partnership. For the travel industry, the importance of the proposed change extends beyond the removal of visa paperwork. Easier access could support shorter European holidays, family visits, luxury tourism, business meetings and travel across several Schengen countries.

Five GCC Countries Move Towards a Possible Breakthrough in European Travel

The proposed visa waiver focuses on Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, representing five of the six countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council. These nations are seeking travel arrangements that could eventually bring their citizens closer to the short-stay privileges already available to passport holders from the United Arab Emirates. Under the existing European Union visa framework, ordinary passport holders from the five countries generally need a visa before entering the Schengen Area for tourism, short business visits or other permitted temporary stays. Their applications remain subject to European immigration rules, even when the purpose of travel is a brief holiday.

The United Arab Emirates occupies a different position. Emirati citizens have enjoyed visa-free short-stay travel to the Schengen Area since 2015, following the EU-UAE visa waiver agreement. The arrangement generally allows visits lasting no more than 90 days within any 180-day period, subject to applicable entry conditions. This makes the UAE the only GCC member state currently listed among the countries whose citizens are exempt from the normal Schengen short-stay visa requirement. The five other Gulf nations remain on the visa-required list under Regulation (EU) 2018/1806.

For Gulf citizens who travel frequently to Europe, the proposed exemption would represent a significant administrative change. Instead of planning holidays around consular appointments and visa processing periods, qualifying travellers could potentially arrange journeys more easily once the necessary European legislation had been completed.

Saudi Arabia’s October 2026 EU-GCC Summit Brings Visa-Free Travel Into Focus

The second EU-GCC Summit, scheduled for 24 October 2026 in Saudi Arabia, provides an important diplomatic setting for further discussions about international mobility. It follows the inaugural summit held in Brussels on 16 October 2024, when European and Gulf leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation across trade, investment, security, connectivity and exchanges between citizens.

At the first summit, both sides formally committed to continuing practical work towards safe and mutually beneficial visa-free travel. This established an official foundation for future discussions rather than creating an immediate exemption. The forthcoming gathering will take place against a backdrop of growing commercial links between the two regions. According to the European Council’s September 2026 announcement, total goods trade between the EU and the six GCC countries reached €165.6 billion in 2025. Of that amount, European exports accounted for almost €110 billion, while imports from the Gulf totalled €55.6 billion.

Trade between the regions increased by almost 30% over the previous decade, according to the same official figures. These economic connections highlight why easier short-term travel is relevant not only to holidaymakers but also to investors, business representatives, tourism professionals and companies organising international meetings.

The GCC collectively has a population of around 60 million people, based on figures cited by the European Council. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are its most populous members. Greater mobility between these markets and Europe could therefore have implications for a broad range of travel services, provided a future waiver is agreed. The key issue for the October summit is whether existing commitments will develop into a defined legal process. Any formal announcement would still be followed by further assessments, decisions and implementation arrangements before travellers could use the proposed exemption.

Europe Has Already Relaxed Visa Rules for Several Gulf Nationalities

The possible waiver builds upon earlier European efforts to simplify travel for citizens of Gulf countries. In April 2024, the European Commission adopted more favourable multiple-entry visa rules for nationals of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman. Under the revised approach, eligible applicants may receive multiple-entry Schengen visas valid for up to five years, subject to the applicable conditions. These arrangements were designed to make repeated travel easier by reducing the need to submit a fresh application before every journey.

Kuwait and Qatar have also benefited from more favourable visa arrangements and have been included in earlier European discussions concerning possible visa liberalisation. In 2022, the European Commission proposed visa exemptions for both countries, although those proposals did not remove the existing visa requirement. The difference between a multiple-entry visa and full visa-free access is substantial. A traveller holding a valid five-year multiple-entry visa may return to the Schengen Area several times, provided the conditions of the visa and permitted stay are respected. A complete exemption would remove the normal requirement for an eligible national to obtain that visa in the first place.

These distinctions are especially relevant for travellers booking frequent European holidays, international conferences or family visits. A long-validity visa can reduce repeated administrative work, but it still requires an initial application, approval and compliance with the conditions attached to the visa.

Current Schengen Visa Position for All Six GCC Countries

Current nationalities and visa-exemption status are established by EU Regulation 2018/1806. The potential waiver for the five countries remains under discussion and has no confirmed implementation date.

European Tourism Could Gain New Opportunities From Gulf Travel Demand

The possibility of Schengen visa-free travel has important implications for Europe’s tourism economy. France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Austria are among the destinations that could benefit from simpler entry procedures for eligible Gulf travellers. A future waiver would allow tourism businesses to offer European holidays with fewer administrative obstacles. Short city breaks, cultural tours, mountain holidays, shopping trips, wellness stays and family holidays could become easier to organise without the need to secure a short-stay visa in advance.

The economic significance of easier travel becomes clearer when considering Europe’s existing visa demand. According to the European Commission’s figures published on 28 May 2026, Schengen countries received more than 12 million short-stay visa applications during 2025, an increase of 4.3% compared with 2024. More than 10 million visas were issued during the year, representing growth of 5.2%. The global refusal rate declined from 14.8% in 2024 to 14.6% in 2025. Meanwhile, approximately 51.7% of visas issued during 2025 allowed multiple entries, demonstrating the importance of repeat travel within Europe’s international visitor market.

These figures do not measure demand from the five GCC countries alone. However, they show the considerable scale of visa administration across the Schengen system. European destinations with established luxury, cultural and leisure tourism sectors could be particularly relevant to this market. Nevertheless, the effect on visitor numbers, spending and hotel occupancy would depend on actual travel behaviour after implementation.

Foreign Residents in Gulf Countries Will Not Receive Automatic Visa-Free Access

While the proposed waiver could benefit millions of eligible Gulf citizens, it would not automatically change travel requirements for expatriates living in GCC countries. This distinction is particularly important in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, where foreign nationals form a significant part of the resident population. Schengen visa requirements are generally determined by the traveller’s nationality and passport, rather than the country where the person lives.

An Indian national residing in Saudi Arabia, for example, would continue to follow the Schengen visa requirements applicable to Indian passport holders. A Saudi residence permit, commonly known as an Iqama, does not convert an Indian passport into a Saudi passport. The same principle applies to expatriates holding long-term residence permits in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman or the UAE. Such documents establish residence rights within the issuing country but do not automatically provide European visa exemptions.

The EU’s visa legislation identifies countries whose nationals require visas and countries whose nationals are exempt. Although separate exemptions may apply to certain individuals or travel documents, GCC residence alone does not establish eligibility for the proposed arrangement.

Who Could Benefit From the Proposed Visa Waiver?

• Saudi, Bahraini, Kuwaiti, Omani and Qatari citizens: Could benefit if their nationalities receive an approved short-stay exemption.
• Emirati citizens: Already enjoy visa-free access for qualifying short visits under existing arrangements.
• Foreign residents in Gulf countries: Would continue following requirements based on their own nationality, unless separately exempt.
• Business travellers: Eligible GCC citizens could eventually attend short meetings and conferences with fewer visa procedures.
• Leisure travellers: Eligible visitors could plan European holidays without advance short-stay visa applications.
• Long-stay visitors: Employment, residence and extended study would remain subject to separate immigration rules.

What Travellers Must Know About Schengen Visas, Fees and Border Checks in 2026

Until an official exemption takes effect, citizens of the five countries must continue following the existing Schengen visa application system. Under current European Commission guidance, travellers should normally submit applications at least 15 calendar days before departure. Applications can generally be lodged up to six months before the intended journey.

The standard Schengen visa application fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged between six and 12. Certain exemptions or reductions may apply. The normal processing period is 15 days, although it can extend to 45 days when additional checks or supporting documents are necessary.

Applicants may need to provide proof of accommodation, financial resources, travel insurance and information explaining the purpose of their visit. Visa-free travel would remove the standard short-stay visa application requirement for eligible nationalities, but it would not eliminate passport checks or entry conditions. Europe’s border system has also undergone major changes in 2026. The Entry/Exit System, known as EES, became fully operational at applicable external border crossing points on 10 April 2026, following a phased introduction.

The system digitally records entries and exits for eligible non-EU short-stay travellers. It can also collect biometric information, including facial images and fingerprints, according to the rules governing the system. Another development is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, or ETIAS. Official EU guidance identifies the final quarter of 2026 as the planned launch period, although the system was not yet operating as of the latest published information.

Once introduced, ETIAS will apply to qualifying visa-exempt travellers who fall within its scope. Its standard application fee is set at €20, subject to applicable fee exemptions. ETIAS authorisation is different from a Schengen visa. It does not provide an unrestricted right to enter, work or reside in Europe. Any future waiver for the five GCC countries would therefore have to operate alongside Europe’s evolving digital border controls.

Schengen Travel Rules Travellers Should Check

Source: European Commission Schengen visa guidance and official EU EES and ETIAS information.

What Must Happen Before Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman Become Visa-Free?

The next stage of the process depends on formal decisions by European institutions and the progress of diplomatic discussions with Gulf governments. The European Union’s visa policy is governed by Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, which separates visa-required nationalities from visa-exempt nationalities. Changing the status of the five GCC countries would require action within the EU’s legal framework, including the relevant approval procedures involving the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

The European Commission’s earlier 2022 proposals concerning Kuwait and Qatar illustrate how such changes can be considered. Those proposals examined several factors, including migration risks, passport security, economic cooperation, tourism, foreign trade and broader relations with the European Union. The same broader policy considerations are relevant to discussions about international visa liberalisation. However, there is no confirmed timetable establishing when the five countries could receive an exemption.

Several steps would need to be resolved before any new arrangement could operate:

1. Formal policy progress: An official EU-GCC announcement or subsequent legislative initiative would need to define the next stage.
2. Technical assessments: Authorities would examine the applicable security, immigration and document standards.
3. Legal approval: Any necessary changes to EU visa legislation would require completion of the appropriate institutional procedures.
4. Implementation arrangements: Authorities would need to establish the effective date and practical conditions.
5. Public travel guidance: Consulates, border authorities and relevant travel organisations would need to update their instructions before the changes took effect.

These steps underline the difference between political support for easier mobility and an operational visa waiver. The October summit could provide further clarity, but it cannot currently be treated as the date on which visa-free travel will begin.

What Comes Next for Gulf Tourism and European Travel in 2026 and Beyond?

The second EU-GCC Summit on 24 October 2026 is the next confirmed diplomatic milestone in the relationship between Europe and the six Gulf nations. Its outcome will be closely relevant to the wider travel industry, particularly if leaders provide a more detailed account of the proposed visa-waiver process. For Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, a future exemption could bring a major change to short-stay European travel. For tourism businesses, it could reduce planning obstacles and make flexible European holidays more practical for eligible customers.

Europe already has extensive commercial ties with the Gulf, and the first EU-GCC Summit established an official commitment to pursue practical progress on visa-free travel. The second summit offers an opportunity to review that commitment and identify possible next steps. Until those conditions are met, the proposed waiver remains a significant diplomatic and tourism development rather than a new travel entitlement. The coming summit could help determine how quickly the initiative progresses, but Schengen visa-free travel for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman has not yet entered into force.

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