11 Nations Urge EU to Tighten Russian Tourist Visas as 2025 Schengen Permits Hit 477,878
Updated
Updated · The Independent · Jun 4
11 Nations Urge EU to Tighten Russian Tourist Visas as 2025 Schengen Permits Hit 477,878
3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Jun 4
Summary
Eleven countries led by Sweden asked the European Commission to urgently tighten and harmonize tourist visa rules for Russians, warning current gaps weaken both security and EU sanctions policy.
477,878 Schengen tourist visas were issued to Russian citizens in 2025, up from 440,558 in 2024, according to the letter sent Wednesday to Kaja Kallas and Magnus Brunner.
Johan Forssell called the trend "insane," saying Russians are taking holidays and shopping trips in Europe while Ukrainians are dying on the battlefield.
Russians with a Schengen visa can travel freely across the Schengen area, which covers 25 EU states and four other countries, making uneven national restrictions harder to enforce.
The appeal underscores a wider EU debate over how far to restrict ordinary Russian travel more than four years after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Will tourism profits in some EU nations undermine the push for a unified, stricter visa policy against Russia?
Could a full Russian tourist ban backfire by fueling Kremlin propaganda and isolating anti-war citizens?
623,451 Russian Schengen Visas Issued in 2025: EU Debates Tighter Rules Amid Security and Policy Concerns
Overview
In June 2026, a coalition of 11 European countries urgently called for stricter Schengen visa rules for Russian citizens, driven by rising security concerns and a notable 8 percent increase in Russian visa applications in 2025. This surge highlighted inconsistent visa policies across the EU, allowing 'visa shopping' where applicants bypass stricter countries. The coalition is pushing for a formal EU proposal to harmonize and tighten visa requirements, aiming to address both security risks and policy gaps within the Schengen zone. Their efforts reflect growing worries about the effectiveness and fairness of current EU visa practices.