diff --git a/autotests/client/test_wayland_surface.cpp b/autotests/client/test_wayland_surface.cpp
--- a/autotests/client/test_wayland_surface.cpp
+++ b/autotests/client/test_wayland_surface.cpp
@@ -400,9 +400,12 @@
     s->commit(KWayland::Client::Surface::CommitFlag::None);
     QSignalSpy damageSpy(serverSurface, SIGNAL(damaged(QRegion)));
     QVERIFY(damageSpy.isValid());
+    QSignalSpy mappedSpy(serverSurface, SIGNAL(mapped()));
+    QVERIFY(mappedSpy.isValid());
     QSignalSpy unmappedSpy(serverSurface, SIGNAL(unmapped()));
     QVERIFY(unmappedSpy.isValid());
     QVERIFY(damageSpy.wait());
+    QCOMPARE(mappedSpy.count(), 1);
     QVERIFY(unmappedSpy.isEmpty());
 
     // now the ServerSurface should have the black image attached as a buffer
@@ -418,6 +421,7 @@
     s->commit(KWayland::Client::Surface::CommitFlag::None);
     damageSpy.clear();
     QVERIFY(damageSpy.wait());
+    QCOMPARE(mappedSpy.count(), 1);
     QVERIFY(unmappedSpy.isEmpty());
     KWayland::Server::BufferInterface *buffer2 = serverSurface->buffer();
     buffer2->ref();
@@ -445,6 +449,7 @@
     s->commit();
     damageSpy.clear();
     QVERIFY(damageSpy.wait());
+    QCOMPARE(mappedSpy.count(), 1);
     QVERIFY(unmappedSpy.isEmpty());
     QVERIFY(!buffer2->isReferenced());
     delete buffer2;
@@ -485,6 +490,7 @@
     QCOMPARE(serverSurface->input(), QRegion(0, 0, 24, 24));
     QCOMPARE(serverSurface->buffer(), buffer3);
     QVERIFY(damageSpy.isEmpty());
+    QCOMPARE(mappedSpy.count(), 1);
     QVERIFY(unmappedSpy.isEmpty());
     QVERIFY(serverSurface->isMapped());
 
@@ -496,7 +502,7 @@
     s->damage(QRect(0, 0, 10, 10));
     s->commit(KWayland::Client::Surface::CommitFlag::None);
     QVERIFY(unmappedSpy.wait());
-    QVERIFY(!unmappedSpy.isEmpty());
+    QCOMPARE(mappedSpy.count(), 1);
     QCOMPARE(unmappedSpy.count(), 1);
     QVERIFY(damageSpy.isEmpty());
     QVERIFY(!serverSurface->isMapped());
diff --git a/src/server/surface_interface.h b/src/server/surface_interface.h
--- a/src/server/surface_interface.h
+++ b/src/server/surface_interface.h
@@ -301,6 +301,12 @@
     void inputChanged(const QRegion&);
     void scaleChanged(qint32);
     void transformChanged(KWayland::Server::OutputInterface::Transform);
+    /**
+     * Emitted when the Surface becomes visible, i.e. a non-null buffer has been attached.
+     *
+     * @since 5.70
+     **/
+    void mapped();
     /**
      * Emitted when the Surface removes its content
      **/
diff --git a/src/server/surface_interface.cpp b/src/server/surface_interface.cpp
--- a/src/server/surface_interface.cpp
+++ b/src/server/surface_interface.cpp
@@ -330,6 +330,7 @@
     const bool contrastChanged = source->contrastIsSet;
     const bool slideChanged = source->slideIsSet;
     const bool childrenChanged = source->childrenChanged;
+    const bool visibilityChanged = bufferChanged && (bool(source->buffer) != bool(target->buffer));
     bool sizeChanged = false;
     auto buffer = target->buffer;
     if (bufferChanged) {
@@ -459,6 +460,9 @@
                 target->damage = windowRegion.intersected(target->damage.united(bufferDamage));
                 if (emitChanged) {
                     subSurfaceIsMapped = true;
+                    if (visibilityChanged) {
+                        emit q->mapped();
+                    }
                     trackedDamage = trackedDamage.united(target->damage);
                     emit q->damaged(target->damage);
                     // workaround for https://bugreports.qt.io/browse/QTBUG-52092