The window was closed: The European Commission banned issuing multiple-entry visas to Russians

On Friday, November 7, the European Commission (EC) announced a decision to restrict the issuance of multiple-entry Schengen visas to Russians, as well as to strengthen the verification of documents of Russian citizens. It has already entered into force. For more information about the new restrictions, see the Izvestia article.

The EC has adopted restrictions on Schengen visas for Russians: what is known

The European Union (EU) continues to impose restrictions on Russians visiting member states. The innovations aimed at reducing the number of tourists from Russia entering the territory of the bloc were announced on November 7. The amendments have already entered into force.

In a statement, the European Commission announced restrictions on the issuance of multiple-entry Schengen visas to Russian citizens. Now, Russian citizens will have to apply for a new visa every time they plan a trip to the EU. This was done, as the organization explains, "to allow for thorough and frequent screening of applicants to reduce any potential risk to the security of the Schengen area."

All Russian applications for Schengen visas will now go through enhanced screening procedures and have a high level of control, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner has confirmed.

It is important to note that the issuance of visas will remain a national competence, the EC will not be able to impose a complete ban on entry for tourists from Russia to the EU. EC representative Markus Lammert said this earlier at a briefing in Brussels: "I can confirm that, in general, the European Commission cannot impose a general ban on the issuance of visas to Russian citizens in the EU."

However, he added that the EC, if necessary, may take a tougher or softer position on issuing, for example, in the case of multiple-entry visas to individual countries.

Restrictions on entry of Russians to EU countries: what are there

Restrictions for Russians to travel to Europe began in 2022, after the start of Russia's special operation in Ukraine. The introduction of new bans for Russians was discussed in September, when it was planned that they would be included in the new package of sanctions. Everything is connected with the discontent of Brussels against the background of a large flow of Russians to Europe, even during the years of its independence. European officials justified the need to impose visa restrictions by saying that, allegedly, "it is unacceptable for Russians to enjoy the European way of life" while the conflict in Ukraine continues.

One of the latest news was the ban on entry to Germany for Russian citizens without a biometric passport from January 1, 2026. Without it, you will not be able to obtain a visa, enter the country, and extend your stay in Germany. The exception will be old-style passports that already have a valid German visa.

In March 2025, similar restrictions were introduced in Estonia.

"Starting from March 31, the Republic of Estonia will cease to recognize non-biometric foreign passports of the Russian Federation. Holders of residence permits from Estonia and other European Union countries who currently use a non—biometric Russian passport must apply for a biometric passport by September 30, 2025," the website of the country's Foreign Ministry said.

This was argued by the fact that non-biometric passports issued in Russia do not comply with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization and carry security risks.

In October, the Russian Foreign Ministry also announced that Russian citizens traveling to Spain or other countries in the Schengen area would be required to take fingerprints and photographs when crossing the border. In Spain, this system is being introduced in stages, and by April 10, 2026, it should be operational at all points. At the same time, the traditional stamps in passports will be replaced by electronic records in the database.

One of the main limitations that exists today is the lack of direct flights. According to the Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT), tourists most often travel to Europe with transfers via Georgia, Turkey, Serbia and the UAE.

The tourist flow of Russians to Europe

According to information for 2024, the tourist flow from Russia to European countries increased compared to 2023, but continues to remain 10 times lower than in 2019. According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), Russians made about 1.4 million trips to Europe and the UK last year. However, according to their information, mostly Russians went to medical treatment, study, visit relatives and for other reasons.

In the first six months of 2025, according to data published on the Telegram channel of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT), the number of trips by tourists from Russia to Europe increased by 20%.

"More than 500,000 visas have been issued, which is already higher than the figure for the same period in 2024," the publication said.

They also added that Russians most often choose Italy, France, Spain, Greece and Hungary for their trip.