Spanish Schengen Gets Shorter: Russians Receive Visas Only for Their Travel Dates
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Spanish consulates have begun issuing short-term visas to Russian tourists en masse, reports TourDom.ru. Whereas travelers previously could expect half-year or annual multiple-entry visas, now in most cases they receive single-entry permits valid strictly for the travel dates — with a probability of about 90%.
The new restriction has become another challenge on top of existing difficulties — a reduced number of booking slots in Moscow and St. Petersburg and the suspension of document intake in several regions. Even those who managed to submit their applications in late September or early October now get visas valid only for specific travel dates.
Visa history no longer plays any role: tourists say that after having half-year or annual Schengen visas, they now receive permits for just 7–10 days. One of the few cases when someone obtained a three-month multiple-entry visa is considered an exception. Thus, the tightening trend in Spanish consular practice appears evident. As a result, Russians increasingly choose France or Italy to apply for visas, where multiple-entry approvals still occur more often. On the bright side, visa processing remains fast: passports are returned within 10–14 days after submission, and the procedure at the visa center takes no more than 15 minutes.
It should be reminded that since July 2025, Russian citizens must obtain a transit visa (TAP) for transfers through Spanish airports if they do not hold a valid EU residence permit or visa. RBC reports that in September the Spanish Consulate General in Moscow completely stopped accepting visa applications — citing “technical reasons.” In the second half of October, the visa center again did not open bookings for regional applicants. Slots appeared only in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and competition for them became intense.
Those wishing to apply for a Schengen visa have to monitor the online booking system around the clock. Travelers complain that registration breaks off at the final step and that available dates vanish within seconds. As a result, people spend hours or even days trying to secure a slot. “I log in every 15 minutes. I reach the date and time selection — and it throws me out again,” users say. In Moscow slots disappear fastest, while in St. Petersburg the situation is slightly better — “Six hours of struggle paid off,” recalls a tourist who managed to book an appointment. Many travelers suspect that automated bots are using the system, making it nearly impossible for ordinary applicants to get an appointment.
In 2024, Spain ranked third in the number of visas approved for Russians — 111 187. At the same time, refusals accounted for 13% (9 916 cases). Italy led with 161 401 applications and 152 254 approvals, followed by France — 134 885 and 123 890 respectively. Just a few years ago, getting a Spanish visa was considered the easiest option. Many Russians abroad used to apply in Armenia, where a residence permit was not required. Later, the situation began changing: Spain tightened its policy and started issuing more refusals to Russian applicants. Nevertheless, traveling to the country on a tourist visa remains possible. Applications should be submitted through BLS International: booking is done online, and then applicants must visit the company’s offices according to their region of residence.
Required documents:
– a valid foreign passport and application form;
– two color photos 3.5 × 4.5 cm;
– medical insurance with coverage of at least €30 000;
– employment certificate or proof of income;
– bank statement;
– hotel reservation and return tickets.
Biometric data are mandatory — fingerprints and photos are taken at the visa center. The fee is €80 for adults and €40 for children. Processing can take up to 45 days, and the status can be tracked online. Passports are issued personally to applicants or to authorized representatives.
On October 12, Spain switched partially to the new Entry/Exit System (EES), along with other EU countries. The system began operating at Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez Barajas Airport, where an Australian citizen became the first to use it.
Implementation will proceed gradually over the next six months and is expected to finish by April 2026. The system is meant to accelerate procedures, but in the first days border crossings became more complicated. Passengers across Europe faced long queues and technical problems. At Prague’s Václav Havel Airport, for instance, waiting times reached up to 90 minutes. Czech authorities instructed border officers to collect data manually, even though EES was designed for biometric registration through self-service kiosks.
Analysts warn that problems may persist at certain airports. Among them are Paris Charles de Gaulle in France, Faro in Portugal, Palma de Mallorca in Spain, Heraklion on Crete, and Milan Malpensa, as well as the Frankfurt and Amsterdam Schiphol terminals.