Russians Secure Over 540,000 Schengen Visas in 2024, Led by Italy, France, and Spain

Despite geopolitical sanctions and diplomatic friction, Russian nationals filed over 600,000 Schengen visa applications in 2024 — and were approved more often than expected.

According to the latest data from SchengenVisaInfo, Russian applicants received 541,839 approved Schengen visas in 2024 — a striking number given the continued travel restrictions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The overall approval rate stood at 89.32%, with some EU countries clearly more receptive than others.

Top 5 Countries Issuing Visas to Russians in 2024

The five Schengen countries that granted the largest number of visas to Russian nationals last year were:

Italy – 152,254 visas issued

France – 123,890

Spain – 111,187

Greece – 59,703

Hungary – 23,382

Italy maintained its position as the top issuer for the second consecutive year, granting visas to over 94% of applicants (152,254 out of 161,401 requests). In fact, Italy’s approval rate was one of the highest across the Schengen Area, second only to Poland’s 98.82% (251 out of 254 applications approved).

France: Consistently Popular
France — historically the most requested destination for Schengen visas — approved 123,890 of the 134,885 Russian applications it received. Despite being slightly more cautious than Italy, France maintained a solid 71.1% approval rate.

Spain and Greece: Declining But Still Relevant
Spain, long a popular destination among Russian travelers, granted 111,187 visas. While the number is impressive, it reflects a soft decline compared to pre-Ukraine war levels when Spain consistently ranked second.

Greece, which once topped the list of Russian preferences in 2021–2022, approved 59,703 out of nearly 70,000 visa applications in 2024 — an 85.7% approval rate.

Hungary: Stable Approval Amid Fewer Requests
Hungary ranked fifth with 23,382 visas granted out of 25,651 applications. While the volume is lower, the 91.2% approval rate is among the highest for Russia in 2024.

Sanctions, But No Full Isolation

Despite numerous announcements from Baltic countries, Poland, and others about halting visa processing for Russian citizens, the data suggests no uniform policy across the EU. Italy, France, and Spain continue issuing visas at scale, hinting at deeper diplomatic and economic considerations.

While political rhetoric may target visa bans, visa statistics reveal a much more pragmatic reality: European tourism, family reunification, and business ties continue to pull Russian travelers toward the Schengen zone.

Context: Visa Requests Grew 16.5% YoY

In 2024, Russian applications for Schengen visas increased by 16.5%, from 520,000 to over 606,000, showing persistent demand for EU travel. The rise also suggests that many Russians are still pursuing long-term relocation, travel, or business access in Europe — despite international restrictions.