A coalition of ministers from European Union and Schengen Area countries has called on the European Commission to enhance visa restrictions for Russian citizens and standardize the approach to issuing Schengen visas. This request was outlined in a letter addressed to EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner.
The letter, signed by representatives from Sweden, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Poland, expresses concern over the varying visa issuance practices among EU member states. Despite the suspension of the visa facilitation agreement with Russia in 2022, the authors note that inconsistencies persist.
“There is deep concern regarding the rising number of Russian tourists enjoying vacations on European beaches while rockets and drones continue to strike civilian infrastructure in Ukraine,” the letter states. It emphasizes the stark contrast with the plight of thousands of Ukrainian children who have been illegally deported or forcibly displaced and are unable to return to their families.
The document highlights the issue of “visa shopping,” where Russian applicants seek visas from countries with more lenient regulations, thereby posing security risks to the entire Schengen Area. “Easy access to the Schengen zone increases potential security threats, particularly related to the movement of hundreds of thousands of Russian military personnel involved in the aggression against Ukraine,” the ministers warn.
According to the Schengen Barometer, Russian citizens were issued 477,878 Schengen visas for tourism in 2025, a significant portion of which were multiple-entry visas. Reports indicate that France, Italy, and Spain are the leading issuers of visas to Russians, with a 10.6% increase in issuance from 2024.
As reported by Euractiv, a European diplomat familiar with the situation explained that the European Commission currently provides only recommendations for stricter visa issuance to Russians, which are not legally binding. This has resulted in disparate practices among countries.
In their letter, the ministers urge the European Commission to implement legislative changes at the EU level that would allow for the introduction of visa restrictions or even a visa ban for citizens of the aggressor state. They assert that a restrictive visa policy for Russian citizens is essential for safeguarding the security and integrity of the Schengen Area, and that inconsistent approaches could undermine the EU’s pressure on Russia.
Ministers from several EU countries are advocating for stricter visa regulations for Russian citizens, citing security concerns and inconsistent practices among member states. They urge the European Commission to implement binding legislative changes to enhance visa restrictions.