Schengen E Visa to Go Digital in 2026 – Europe’s Big Travel Reform

Published By: BCM Group Date: 23 September 2025

The European Union has announced a major improvement in its visa system with the introduction of the Schengen e visa, set to launch in 2026 and is to operate in all member states by 2028.

From Stickers to Digital Codes

Under the new system, passengers of the non-European Union will no longer receive traditional visa stickers on their passports. Instead, they will be released a safe digital 2D barcode as part of the Schengen E Visa. Officials say the purpose of reform is to strengthen safety, reduce fraud applications and to streamline the process for millions of visitors every year.

One EU-Wide Application Platform

Applicants will be able to apply for Schengen visa online through a single European Union platform. Here, passengers can submit documents, upload photos, pay the fee and track their applications digitally. The European Commission hopes to cut the processing time and create this step to create a similar system in all 27 Schengen member states.

Impact on Indian Travellers

For Indian citizens—who are among the top applicants for Schengen visas—the change is expected to make travel more convenient. Frequent travellers could benefit from faster repeat applications and less dependency on physical visa centers. The move is also expected to generate increased interest in the Schengen visa online process.

Linked with Other Border Reforms

Digital visa is part of the extensive European Union boundary reforms. From October 2025, the entry/exit system (EES) will apply, which will require biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans at the border crossing. In addition, European Travel Information and Authority System (Etiias) was given visa-free countries like U.S. And U.K.

A Step Towards Smarter Travel

EU officials describe the reforms as a step towards modernising border management while enhancing traveller convenience. “The digital visa will make travel to Europe easier, faster, and more secure,” an EU spokesperson said.

With these updates, travellers can soon apply for a Schengen E-visa online with less paperwork and more security. This is the latest Schengen visa news that promises to transform travel for non-EU citizens worldwide.