In the course of January 2024 over 800 Serbs applied for Kosovo passports whose holders no longer need visas to enter the European Union (EU), reported the Pristina portal reporteri.net, citing the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs.

As of 1 January 2024, Kosovo passport holders are allowed to travel to the EU without a visa, for up to 90 days in any 180 days, but this does not apply to Kosovo Serbs who have passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.

In January, 826 Serbs applied for Kosovo passports, while a total of 6,310 Serbian citizens applied for a Kosovo passport until December 31, 2023, the Kosovo Internal Affairs Ministry told the media.

The European Commission (EC) said on January 13 that it expects that visa liberalization will also be approved in the EU inter-institutional process for holders of Serbian passports living in Kosovo.

However, the Government of Kosovo opposed the proposal, saying that it hinders the integration of the Kosovo Serb community and gives legitimacy to Serbia’s illegal parallel structures in Kosovo, reported the Pristina portal reporteri.net.