EU imposes visa restrictions for Russians due to the war in Ukraine

• The EU stated multiple times that visas for Russians are subject to security threats.
• The new visa regime rules will take effect on November 8, 2025.
• Exceptions will be made for dissidents and close relatives of Russians in the EU.

The European Union has adopted a decision to tighten visa rules for Russian citizens. This decision is a response to the ongoing war of Russia against Ukraine and the increasing acts of sabotage, which are believed to be linked to Moscow.

Russian citizens will not be able to receive multiple-entry visas for travel to the Schengen Area, which includes 25 of the 27 EU countries, as well as Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. Instead, they will have to submit a new visa application each time they plan to travel to Europe.

This decision aims to strengthen control over applicants and reduce potential security threats. In exceptional cases, visas may be issued to dissidents, independent journalists and lawyers, as well as close relatives of Russians who reside in the EU.

It is noted that since 2019, the number of visas issued to Russians has decreased from over 4 million to nearly 500 thousand in 2023. This is related to the fact that the EU has already suspended the agreement on the simplification of the visa regime with Russia since the beginning of the full-scale aggression in Ukraine in 2022.

Representatives of the Ukrainian government, including the Minister of Internal Affairs Andriy Sibiga, supported these changes, noting that they are a necessary step to enhance security in Europe.

Along with the new rules, visas that have already been issued will remain valid, but new applications will undergo increased scrutiny. This decision will take effect on November 8, 2025.

Tags: Russia/Europe/Politics