EU Will Make It Easier for Indonesians to Obtain Schengen Visas

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BRUSSELS -- The meeting of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the EU Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday (13/7/2025), produced a number of new agreements that benefited both sides. One of the advantages that Indonesians get is the opportunity to get a Schengen visa more easily to be able to visit a number of countries in the Blue Continent.

“So, I am pleased to announce that the European Commission has taken a decision on the visa cascade. It intends that, from now on, Indonesians visiting an EU country for a second time will be selected for Schengen multientry visas. This will make it easier for them to visit, but also to invest, to learn, and to connect,” Ursula said during a joint statement with President Prabowo.

The visa cascade represents a new visa regime introduced by the European Union, to selected countries that establish relations with them. Later, Indonesians will be able to obtain a long-term multientry Schengen visa based on the applicant's travel history. That way, those who want to travel to Europe within a certain period of time will no longer need to take care of the Schengen visa because the old one is still active.

“In short, we are building bridges between our communities. Mr. President, thank you again for coming. The message we delivered today is very strong and clear,” Ursula said.

The President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo thanked the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen for receiving him on the holiday. “I know it's very extraordinary, so it's a really big honor and it's a tribute you paid to me and also a tremendous sacrifice,” Prabowo said.

According to him, the meeting, which took place on Sunday, showed the mutual interest between Indonesia and the European Union. He was pleased that the decade-long deadlock in Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) talks could finally be resolved.