Multiple-entry visas with a long validity shall be issued for the following validity periods, unless the validity of the visa would exceed that of the travel document:

• for a validity period of one year, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years;

• for a validity period of two years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for one year within the previous two years;

• for a validity period of five years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for two years within the previous three years

Airport transit visas and visas with limited territorial validity shall not be taken into account for the issuing of multiple-entry visas.

In individual cases, the validity period maybe shortened where there is reasonable doubt that the entry conditions will be met for the entire period.