EU Visa Sanctions and Exit Restrictions Drive Israeli Demand for Second Passports

Second passports have helped people around the world secure safety and freedom for themselves and their families. One example of the risk of having one passport can be found in Israel.  

Following the outbreak of conflict with Iran, Israelis hoping to leave and remain temporarily abroad, or relocate completely, have faced barriers. First, the Israeli government restricted their ability to leave the country. Second, the EU is preparing visa sanctions. Don’t make the same mistake as those Israelis who lost the ability to leave due to internal and external restrictions — now is the time to secure a second passport.

Exit Restrictions

Israeli authorities have restricted their citizens from leaving the country. On June 13, 2025, Israel closed its airspace and suspended operations at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. The official reason cited was the threat of missile attacks from Iran and the need to avoid mass gatherings at airports.

The government instructed airlines to deny boarding to Israeli citizens. Only foreigners, including diplomats and tourists, were permitted to depart. The decision was criticized by opposition leaders and business figures alike. The opposition accused the government of inhumanity, noting that the restrictions prevent family reunification and access to medical treatment.

Representatives of Israeli airlines El Al, Arkia, and Israir, which were forced to suspend flights, claimed the measures were disproportionate to the crisis. The Israel Tour Operators Association stated that the government’s actions were damaging the country’s international reputation.

Yacht Evacuations

The closure of airspace has driven Israelis to seek alternative evacuation methods. Departures via private yachts have surged, with many Israelis opting for sea travel to Europe.

Main Departure Points and Routes

Yachts are departing primarily from marinas in:

• Herzliya
• Haifa
• Ashkelon

Routes commonly lead to Larnaca (Cyprus), from where passengers continue onward to Portugal, Italy, and France.

How Is It Organized?

A spontaneous evacuation hub has formed within days in Herzliya, where people wait with suitcases for available boats. Many of them hold dual citizenship. Private social media groups have emerged to coordinate crossings and discuss routes. Due to high demand, yacht owners have raised prices — one seat can cost as much as 6,000 shekels (approximately 1,717 USD).

Not all yachts are officially registered, and not all operators provide passenger insurance. Some marina operators are dispatching up to five yachts per day, but that’s still not enough to meet the rapidly growing demand.

Who Is Leaving?

Key groups include:

• Israelis with dual citizenship 
• Foreigners stranded in Israel looking for a way out
• Families with children, patients, businesspeople, and reservists

Many evacuees prefer to remain anonymous. Some admit they are fleeing Iranian threats; others say they are leaving permanently. Many have asked for assistance from their home/secondary passport countries, such as Ukraine, to leave Israel due to these difficulties and risks. 

Risk of EU Visa Sanctions

While the Israeli government is restricting outbound travel, the European Union is preparing its own external restrictions. On June 17, 2025, the European Parliament and the EU Council agreed on reforms to the visa-free suspension mechanism — reforms that could directly affect Israeli citizens. Under the new rules, the EU can swiftly suspend visa-free access for countries that violate international norms. Israel is one of the likely targets.

What’s Changing?

Previously, visa-free travel could only be suspended under a narrow set of conditions. Now the list has been expanded. New grounds for suspension include:

• Systemic human rights violations
• Gross violations of international humanitarian law
• Non-compliance with international court rulings
• Violations of the UN Charter

Immigration pressure thresholds have also been lowered:

• A 30% increase in undocumented migrants in the Schengen Zone now qualifies as significant (previously it was 50%).
• The share of unfounded asylum claims has risen from 4% to 20%, making it easier to classify a country as an immigration risk.

Why Is Israel at Risk?

Although EU officials claim the reforms aren’t aimed at any specific country, Euronews sources explicitly list Israel as a primary candidate for suspension. Regardless, even if the reform to the visa-free regime was not initially created with Israel in mind, it will likely affect it significantly. Reasons include: 

• UN allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza
• Violations of international law during the military campaign
• Internal EU pressure from politicians with hardline immigration policies
• EU pressure on Israel for its actions in Gaza

Israeli citizens are among the most frequent users of visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, making any suspension deeply impactful.

How Will the Decision Be Made?

The current procedure for suspending visa-free access:

• The European Commission issues a one-year suspension act (a Schengen country may also initiate the process)
• The act must be approved by EU member states (it can be blocked by a majority)
• Extensions require a new act, which can be rejected by either the European Parliament or the EU Council

Precedent and Implications

The EU has suspended visa-free travel only once before, targeting the Republic of Vanuatu. The reason was its sale of economic citizenship to high-risk individuals from Russia. Given this precedent, Israel could become the second country to face visa sanctions — this time for political and humanitarian reasons rather than investment migration issues.

If such a decision is made, Israeli citizens will be required to:

• Obtain a Schengen visa even for short-term visits
• Endure delays in trip planning due to overwhelmed European consulates

Support for Future Dual Citizens and Yacht Owners

Events in Israel have shown that only a second citizenship provides real mobility and freedom. Preparation is key to safety. Securing a second passport and having independent transportation are smart, strategic moves.

Passport Programs

We offer full support for selecting and obtaining citizenship by investment in stable jurisdictions. Popular options include:

Country	Processing Time (months)	Investment (USD ‘000)	Remote Application	Schengen Access
Antigua	3–6	230	✅	✅
Dominica	3–6	200	✅	✅
St. Kitts	2–3	240	✅	✅
St. Lucia	3–6	240	✅	✅
Grenada	3–6	235	✅	✅
Vanuatu	2+	145	❌	❌
Turkey	6+	400	❌	❌

Yacht Registration for Safer Travel

The crisis in Israel has highlighted the value of owning a sea vessel registered in a jurisdiction that allows for quick, legal departure into international waters. We assist with yacht registration in the following countries:

• United Kingdom
• Georgia
• Jersey
• Malta
• Marshall Islands
• Cook Islands
• Tuvalu

Conclusion

Second citizenship combined with personal transportation is a smart, crisis-proof strategy. Right now, the world is facing growing and potential crises, and if you’re not prepared, it is time to be. Second citizenship is a practical measure for anyone who wants to stay in control of their future. When the time comes, it may be too late to act — the time to prepare is now.