EU plans more entry restrictions for Russians – Politico

Brussels is reportedly looking to stop issuing the potential visitors multi-entry Schengen visas

The EU plans to further tighten visa rules for Russian citizens as part of ongoing efforts to restrict their entry, Politico reports, citing European officials.

Brussels is preparing to stop issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas to most Russian nationals, allowing only single-entry visas instead, the outlet reported. Humanitarian cases would be exempt, it added.

The restriction is expected to be part of a wider package of measures aimed at curbing Russian arrivals. The new rules could be adopted and implemented this week, the officials told Politico.

The EU had already taken steps to limit Russian travel in previous sanctions rounds. As part of its 19th package, adopted last month, Brussels restricted the movement of Moscow’s diplomats across the Schengen Area, requiring them to notify member states in advance of any trips.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has responded to the Politico report by saying that Brussels will likely continue to impose additional restrictions on Russian nationals. He remarked that Europeans “are diligently recalling everything connected to the confrontation that occurred during the Cold War, and are just as diligently adding new elements to this confrontation.”

Europe has long been a popular destination for Russian travelers; more than 4 million Schengen visas were issued to citizens of the country in 2019. 

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Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, however, the EU has made it more difficult and expensive for Russians to visit, suspending a visa facilitation agreement with Moscow and increasing its scrutiny of applications.

While the European Commission cannot legally impose a total ban on Russian visitors, it has repeatedly encouraged member states to tighten criteria. 

Several countries, including the Baltic states and Poland, have already introduced outright bans, while others, such as Greece, Hungary, France, Spain and Italy, have continued issuing visas and opposed efforts to block regular Russian travelers.

In 2024, more than half a million Russians received Schengen visas, marking a quarter increase from 2023, with Italy, France and Spain among the main issuers.