Eleven EU Nations Push Brussels to Curb Schengen Visas for Russians.

Stricter Schengen Visa Rules for Russian Citizens Demanded

According to Espreso.tv: A coalition of eleven European Union countries, together with Norway and Iceland, has sent a letter to the European Commission calling for tighter restrictions on the issuance of Schengen visas to Russian nationals. The move comes amid a notable surge in the number of such visas granted, raising security and migration concerns among the signatories. The letter was endorsed by Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Iceland.

Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński signed the document on behalf of their country. In 2025, Russian citizens received nearly 478,000 Schengen visas for tourism purposes alone, reflecting a growing interest in travel to Europe. Notably, in November 2025, the European Commission had already prohibited the issuance of multiple-entry visas to Russian nationals as part of broader efforts to manage migration flows.

Key Demands Presented to the European Commission

According to the data cited, EU countries issued over 620,000 Schengen visas to Russians in 2025. This figure has alarmed the signatory nations, who argue that additional measures are necessary to regulate the process. The letter outlines four main requests directed at the European Commission:

• amend the EU Visa Code;
• introduce limits on the issuance of multiple-entry visas;
• establish a rapid-response mechanism to block visas;
• implement measures to identify Russian combatants.

This initiative underscores the growing unease among European states regarding border security and the control of Russian citizens' entry, particularly in the context of the current geopolitical climate. The signatory countries aim to achieve more efficient visa management to safeguard their borders.

This step reflects the determination of European nations to tighten oversight of migration from Russia, driven not only by security concerns but also by the pressing political realities in the region.

Restrictions on Schengen visa issuance could significantly affect the mobility of Russian citizens and their travel opportunities, while simultaneously highlighting EU member states' anxieties about potential security risks. It will be important to monitor the European Commission's next moves on this matter and their impact on EU-Russia relations.