EU to Limit Schengen Visa Issuance for Russians

The European Union plans to tighten the existing visa system for Russian citizens. After the new changes take effect, Schengen visas will mostly be issued only for specific travel dates. Long-term permits will become rare, reports Politico, citing European officials.

Restrictions for Russians have been in place since 2022, which has already made visa procedures noticeably more complicated. The agreement on simplified Schengen visa issuance has been suspended, consular fees have nearly doubled, and processing times have increased. Some countries — including Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland — have completely stopped issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, allowing only humanitarian exceptions. Now, the European Commission plans to extend this approach to the entire bloc so that unified rules will apply across all Schengen countries.

The new rules will change the very principle of visa issuance for Russian citizens. From now on, Schengen visas will mainly be granted for specific travel periods, while one- or two-year documents that previously allowed free movement between EU countries will become rare. Exceptions will remain only for dual citizens and those applying for humanitarian reasons. These changes are part of a broader package of measures aimed at reducing the number of Russian travelers and, according to Politico, are expected to be approved this week.



It is worth noting that Spain switched to such a regime even before the European Commission’s decision. In the autumn, Spanish consulates began issuing only short-term visas for Russian tourists — for 7–10 days, strictly matching the dates of travel. The restriction came amid reduced appointment slots in Moscow and St. Petersburg and the suspension of applications in several regions. Spanish authorities also required Russian travelers to obtain a transit visa for layovers in the country’s airports.

Earlier, the EU announced changes to the movement rules for Russian diplomats within the Schengen Area. They must now notify authorities in advance when planning to travel through other member states. The same sanctions package also bans European companies from organizing trips, bookings, or accommodation for tourists in Russia. Some financial institutions have already begun implementing these restrictions.



At the end of October, Revolut started blocking accounts of Russian and Belarusian citizens living in EU countries. Many users received requests to verify documents and account suspension notices almost simultaneously. Transfers, cash withdrawals, and card payments became unavailable. The contracts will be terminated on December 31, 2025, unless clients confirm valid residence permits.

In addition, the European Commission is
preparing an updated visa policy strategy for “unfriendly” countries. Some members of the European Parliament believe that a total ban on tourist visas for Russians is unlikely, but longer processing times and higher fees are expected. Stricter limits are also realistic, particularly in countries most concerned about security risks — such as Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states, which advocate unified restrictions with only narrow exceptions.



The EU explains the tightening of visa rules by growing security risks. Officials are also concerned about the increasing number of Schengen visas issued to Russian citizens. In 2025, they received over 500,000 entry permits for travel and stays in Europe — significantly more than the previous year. The figure remains below 2019 levels, when more than 4 million visas were issued, yet the rising trend itself has become a reason to revise policy.

Against this backdrop, the European Commission and EU member states increasingly view visa restrictions not as temporary measures but as part of a long-term strategy. The new course effectively marks a shift from liberal travel rules to selective access, prioritizing humanitarian and official purposes. For Russian citizens, this means that opportunities for free tourism in Europe will gradually diminish, while visa policies will continue to harden and become more politicized.