European Schengen Countries Impose Stricter Visa Requirements on Russians

The measure is part of broader European sanctions against Moscow since the start of the invasion in 2022. Brussels says stricter visa rules are necessary to more frequently monitor Russians and better track who gains access to the Schengen area.

According to EU officials, there are growing concerns about espionage, sabotage, and disinformation campaigns orchestrated from Russia. The use of illegal migration and disruption of European infrastructure (airspace and trains) are also cited as motives for the tightening.

Exceptions will remain for specific groups, including family members of EU citizens or Russians legally residing in the EU, transport personnel, dissidents, independent journalists, and human rights defenders. For these groups, EU countries may still issue multiple-entry visas with a limited validity of up to one year.

The new rules are not retroactive. Existing visas remain valid, and Russians with EU citizenship or a valid residence permit will not be affected by the change. The number of visas issued has already dropped sharply over the past few years—from about four million annually before the war to approximately half a million.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas defended the decision, stating that “travel to the EU is a privilege, not a right.” According to her, the new policy reflects the changed security realities in Europe.

Moscow reacted sharply. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Brussels of discrimination and claimed the measure “favours illegal migrants over law-abiding Russian tourists.” She called Kallas “a person of rare intelligence” and announced that Russia is considering countermeasures.