11 European Nations Urge EU to Block 618,806 Russian Visas as Approvals Rise 14%
Updated
Updated · EUobserver · Jun 5
11 European Nations Urge EU to Block 618,806 Russian Visas as Approvals Rise 14%
2 articles · Updated · EUobserver · Jun 5
Summary
Eleven European nations asked the European Commission to tighten the EU Visa Code and stop Russian tourists from exploiting “visa shopping” to enter the Schengen area.
The push follows a 14% rise in Schengen visas issued to Russians in 2025, to 618,806, with 477,878 of them tourist visas—77% of the total.
Italy granted 161,121 visas, France 156,547 and Spain 123,359, while rejections fell to nearly 43,000 from about 45,000 a year earlier.
The group—led by Sweden and including Poland, the Baltics, Finland and Denmark—also wants screening to bar anyone with current or past ties to Russia’s armed forces.
The appeal sharpens pressure on the EU to align travel policy with its post-2022 sanctions regime, arguing that Russians should not vacation in Europe while the war in Ukraine continues.
As visa numbers surge, can a divided EU forge a united front against Russia?
Could banning Russian tourists backfire and strengthen the Kremlin's grip?
Eleven EU Countries Push for Immediate Ban on Russian Tourist Visas: Security, Policy Divides, and the Path to a Unified 2026-2027 Strategy
Overview
In June 2026, eleven European countries formally urged the European Commission to immediately ban tourist visas for Russian citizens entering the Schengen Area. Their joint letter called for strict legislative changes, including amendments to the EU Visa Code and new mandatory visa measures, aiming to close policy gaps and address rising security threats linked to Russia. The ministers also demanded action to block entry for Russian military personnel. This push reflects growing concerns over increased Russian visa issuances and highlights divisions within the EU, as some countries support tougher restrictions while others worry about legal, economic, and humanitarian impacts.