The Schengen visa, one of the most important gateways for African travelers visiting Europe, is facing growing pressure as European governments tighten migration controls and political leaders call for stronger restrictions on movement across the continent.
For African travelers, a Schengen short-stay visa offers access to multiple European destinations with a single visa, subject to its conditions. Holders can generally stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
The Schengen Area currently comprises 29 European countries, including 25 EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The arrangement allows travellers to move between participating countries without routine internal border checks.
However, recent developments in Italy, Spain and Germany are raising questions about how freely non-EU travellers will be able to move within the Schengen Area as European governments respond to migration and security concerns.
The latest political challenge came from Germany, where Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), called for Germany to withdraw from the Schengen Area.
“We will withdraw from Schengen, so that people like those from Ceuta can no longer come to us. This treaty will be terminated,” Weidel said.
Her comments followed Italy’s temporary reintroduction of border controls on travellers arriving from Spain amid a surge in migrants reaching the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Italy’s decision demonstrated that the Schengen system’s border-free principle is not absolute. Member states can temporarily restore internal border controls in certain circumstances, including serious threats to public policy or internal security.
Schengen Visa Demand Remains High in Africa
The importance of the Schengen visa to African travellers is reflected in the volume of applications and visas issued across the continent. Schengen countries issued approximately 2.5 million visas through consulates in Africa in 2024.
Morocco recorded the highest number, with about 460,000 visas issued, followed by Algeria with approximately 341,000. South Africa accounted for about 180,000, Egypt 152,000 and Tunisia 137,000 while Nigeria recorded 58,808 Schengen visas, while Côte d’Ivoire accounted for 49,793.
Other African countries included Kenya with 45,339 visas, the Democratic Republic of Congo with 40,176, Senegal with 36,933, Cameroon with 31,911, Angola with 30,693 and Ghana with 29,890.
What Tighter Controls Could Mean for Africans
The concern is not that the Schengen visa is about to disappear, the main practical value could be diminished if European countries increasingly impose temporary border checks, tighten visa policies or subject non-EU travelers to greater scrutiny.
The European Union already allows member states to temporarily reintroduce internal border controls under defined circumstances. Consequently, a Schengen visa does not provide an unconditional guarantee of completely frictionless movement between participating countries.
For African travellers who plan multi-country European trips, such measures could mean longer journeys, additional document checks and greater uncertainty even after securing a valid Schengen visa.
