GCC Citizens Edge Closer to Visa-Free Travel in Europe — What the October 24 Summit Could Deliver
Updated: 1 minute ago
RIYADH, October 10, 2026 — Citizens of five Gulf states may soon find European travel considerably simpler, with the Gulf Cooperation Council signalling that a formal step toward Schengen visa exemption is imminent.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi said on the Arab Views podcast, hosted by Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abbas, that the remaining procedural hurdle is close to being cleared, and that the upcoming GCC-EU summit in Riyadh on October 24 is expected to produce a concrete announcement.
The Practical Picture Today
Travellers from the Gulf currently face two very different realities depending on which passport they hold.
Emirati citizens have moved through Schengen borders without a visa since 2015, under a short-stay arrangement capped at 90 days in any 180-day window.
Everyone else in the bloc still applies for a visa — though the terms have improved markedly in recent years. Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia gained access to five-year multiple-entry visas in April 2024. Kuwait and Qatar had already secured more generous multiple-entry conditions from 2023.
That leaves five countries waiting: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
What the Riyadh Summit Would Actually Change
Al-Budaiwi's language deserves careful reading. He described reaching "the beginning of the process" — not the completion of it.
In practice, this implies that the summit will probably initiate negotiations or establish an assessment mechanism, rather than granting immediate visa-free access. For full exemption, each Gulf state must undergo a technical evaluation addressing passport integrity, border systems, and data protection, followed by the completion of the EU's legislative processes.
As a result, travelers should anticipate a gradual timeline rather than an instant change.
Why This Matters Beyond Tourism
For companies running operations across both regions, visa friction is a measurable cost. Assembling a project team for a European assignment currently involves coordinating appointments, invitation letters and passport logistics across multiple nationalities.
Removing that requirement for Gulf nationals would place Saudi, Qatari, Kuwaiti, Bahraini and Omani staff on the same footing as their Emirati colleagues — at least for short visits.
It is important to note two limitations. The exemption applies to short stays, not to employment. Individuals needing work authorization in the EU must still obtain national permits. Additionally, any exemption is applicable solely to the Schengen area, excluding the UK, Ireland, or other European regions outside the bloc.
The Free Trade Question
Al-Budaiwi also lowered expectations regarding a GCC-EU free trade agreement on a separate track.
He said talks have not produced a result, and pointed to European insistence on including human rights provisions that the Gulf side wants removed. He contrasted this with the GCC's recent joint statement with the UK, concluded in May 2026, which he described as a significant advance in that relationship.
No FTA announcement is expected in Riyadh.
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Quick Reference
Item | Detail |
Summit | GCC-EU, Riyadh, October 24, 2026 |
Expected outcome | Formal start of the Schengen waiver process |
Countries in scope | Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman |
Already visa-free | UAE (short stays, since 2015) |
Current terms | Five-year multiple-entry visas for Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia; improved terms for Kuwait, Qatar |
Pending EU proposal | Kuwait and Qatar on visa-exempt list (proposed 2022, awaiting Parliament) |
Scope of any waiver | Short stays; employment still requires national permits |
FTA | No announcement expected |
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