The European Union has decided to stop issuing multi-entry visas to Russian citizens. The move aims to intensify pressure on Moscow over its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Stricter Visa Rules Introduced
Under the new regulation, Russian nationals must now apply for a visa each time they wish to travel to the EU. Brussels said the change would enable “close and frequent scrutiny of applicants to mitigate potential security risks.”
European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen said the decision builds on earlier steps to counter Russian “sabotage, disinformation and drone incursions.”
Criticism from Russian Observers
Russian observers condemned the policy, warning it would mostly impact ordinary citizens. Many of them fled Russia to escape political repression or military mobilization.
The EU had already suspended its visa facilitation agreement with Russia in 2022 following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, obtaining EU travel documents has become increasingly difficult and expensive for Russians.
Enhanced Scrutiny and Limited Exceptions
European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Magnus Brunner said visa applications from Russians will undergo “enhanced verification” and “elevated levels of scrutiny.” Exceptions will be made only for humanitarian cases, including journalists, dissidents, and human rights defenders. Dual citizens of EU countries will remain unaffected.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated, “Traveling to and freely moving within the EU is a privilege, not a given.”
Decline in Russian Visas and Moscow’s Response
The European Commission reported issuing 552,000 Schengen visas to Russians in 2025, far below 2019’s four million. Most visas were granted by Italy, France, and Spain. Moscow criticized the move, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova calling it “short-sighted.”
