The European Union is preparing to introduce stricter visa rules for Russian citizens by the end of 2025, according to a detailed report released by Politico. The move comes amid sustained pressure from member states on the EU’s eastern flank who view travel by Russian nationals as a security threat, especially in the context of Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Senior officials in Brussels confirmed that proposals are being finalized within the European Commission and the Council of the EU to narrow pathways for Russians seeking short-term Schengen visas. The tightening will include more rigorous vetting processes, limits on multi-entry visas, and heightened scrutiny for categories such as students, business travelers, and family reunification applications.
One EU diplomat was quoted saying,
“We owe this to our citizens. While Russia pursues aggression in Ukraine, it cannot be business as usual for its citizens enjoying unrestricted access to Europe.”
Historical Background of Schengen Visas for Russians
Before the war in Ukraine, Russian nationals made up a significant portion of short-term Schengen visa applicants. In 2019, over four million visas were granted to Russian citizens, making them the largest nationality group. The pandemic and subsequent sanctions dramatically reduced this figure, but visa issuance has remained a sensitive political issue.
In 2022, as the war escalated, the EU suspended the visa facilitation agreement with Russia, ending privileged procedures and lower application fees. Yet, some countries, particularly in southern Europe and parts of central Europe, continued issuing visas on humanitarian and family grounds. By contrast, states like Finland, Estonia, and Poland imposed sweeping restrictions, often refusing nearly all applicants.
The new EU-wide rules signify a broader consensus that the existing patchwork approach is not sustainable. As Politico reported, the Commission is now moving closer to formalizing a “coherent and restrictive” visa regime that will apply uniformly across the bloc.
Pressures from the East
Eastern member states have led the campaign to restrict Russian mobility within the EU. Officials in Estonia and Latvia have repeatedly warned that large numbers of Russian tourists pose risks not only of espionage but also of undermining EU solidarity with Ukraine.
During a press briefing in Tallinn, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna reiterated his government’s commitment to lobbying for a full-scale restriction, stating,
“Russian citizens cannot walk on our streets enjoying European freedoms while their government is crushing lives in Ukraine. For us, this is a matter of security and morality.”
Lithuanian leaders echoed this view, arguing that restrictions must remain in place until hostilities end. Many Baltic leaders have privately criticized countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain for maintaining looser approaches, insisting that tourism revenues cannot outweigh geopolitical risks.
The Debate Among Western Member States
Despite consensus on the need for adjustment, disagreement remains within the EU on how far restrictions should go. Southern European states, which host significant numbers of Russian tourists and property owners, have expressed concerns about the potential economic fallout.
A senior official from Spain told Politico,
“We do not oppose stronger checks, but blanket restrictions risk punishing innocent people who have no responsibility for war policies. Many Russians visiting Europe are themselves critical of the Kremlin.”
France and Germany have taken a middle-ground position, acknowledging the need for stricter checks while opposing complete bans. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser remarked earlier this year that “Europe must weigh values of justice and security with its fundamental principles of freedom. We cannot afford measures that push ordinary Russian citizens into isolation and radicalization.”
Humanitarian and Cultural Exceptions
The upcoming EU proposals are expected to preserve limited pathways for specific categories, including humanitarian cases, dissidents, and cultural exchanges. Commission officials emphasized that the EU does not intend to isolate Russian civil society, instead framing the restrictions as targeted against luxury travel and recreational visits.
An internal EU draft paper cited by Politico reads,
“We must ensure space remains open for individuals who oppose the war, journalists under threat, and those requiring humanitarian protection. This is not aimed at silencing Russia’s civil society.”
However, NGOs assisting Russian refugees have expressed concerns that the tightening may inadvertently limit opportunities for vulnerable groups fleeing repression. A Moscow-based human rights advocate told reporters that “many activists depend on visas to escape political persecution. If restrictions tighten without humanitarian guarantees, people’s lives will be at risk.”
Impact on Travel and EU External Relations
If adopted, the restrictions could significantly cut the number of Russian travelers allowed into Europe by the end of 2025. Tourism and shopping sectors in EU member states that traditionally attracted large numbers of Russian visitors—such as Cyprus, Spain, and Italy—are expected to feel the economic impact.
Cypriot hoteliers have already warned that further visa constraints could drive away remaining Russian clients, who were among the island’s most lucrative tourists before the war. One Cypriot hotel association leader said, “We understand the moral reasoning behind this decision, but the cost to our industry will be significant.”
The Kremlin has sharply criticized the EU’s plans, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova declaring that
“the European Union is waging war not only on Russia as a state but on its people, who are being collectively punished.”
Moscow has suggested it could retaliate by tightening visa access for EU citizens or slapping further restrictions on European businesses still operating in Russia.
The Road to Adoption
The proposals will need approval from a qualified majority of EU member states, meaning political negotiations could stretch into late autumn. Officials told Politico the aim is for the new visa rules to come into effect no later than December, coinciding with the EU’s next summit on external relations.
Brussels insiders anticipate heated debates before details are agreed. The most contentious issues are likely to include the extent of humanitarian carve-outs, the length of visas permissible under the new rules, and whether long-term residency permits will be impacted.
Broader Context of EU-Russia Relations
The visa restrictions form part of the EU’s broader attempt to recalibrate its relationship with Russia following years of sanctions, trade embargoes, and military support for Ukraine. Analysts argue that the European Union’s stance on Russian citizens traveling abroad reflects its effort to apply comprehensive pressure not only on Moscow’s political elites but on broader Russian societal privileges.
Political scientist Kristina Rudzite at Vilnius University explained that
“the EU is signalling that Russian aggression comes at a price not only for officials but also for society, which must reckon with the isolation resulting from the Kremlin’s policies.”
At the same time, some experts caution that collective restrictions may ultimately play into Moscow’s propaganda narrative. By portraying the EU as hostile to ordinary Russians, the Kremlin could reinforce its domestic message that citizens are better served looking eastward toward partners like China and Iran.
As 2025 closes, the European Union’s decision to tighten visa rules for Russian citizens is shaping up to be one of the most visible non-military measures in its continuing standoff with Moscow. For Brussels, the policy embodies both security imperatives and moral posturing, but its success will depend on how fairly humanitarian exemptions are applied and whether economic fallouts can be contained.
Although divisive among EU capitals, the initiative underscores a bloc increasingly determined to project unity in the face of Russia’s war. Whether it translates into greater pressure on Moscow or unintended hardship for ordinary Russians will become clear after the new rules come into force.
