Sweden pushes to halt tourist visas for Russians as Europe tightens restrictions.
Europe moves to restrict visa issuance for Russian tourists
According to Espreso.tv: Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell has called for an end to tourist travel from Russia to Europe, stating:
“I want to see no more shopping weekends.”Sweden and several other European nations are now weighing tighter visa policies for Russian tourists amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The debate reflects growing unease over the ethical and security implications of allowing Russian travelers into the EU while the conflict continues.
In 2025, approximately 500,000 Russian tourists entered Europe. Despite existing sanctions, EU countries issued over 620,000 Schengen visas to Russian citizens that same year—a 10% increase compared to 2024. However, in November 2025, the European Commission banned the issuance of multiple-entry visas to Russian nationals. Notably, Lithuania has barred 600 Russians who fought against Ukraine from entering the Schengen zone.
Stance of European nations
In June 2025, 11 European countries formally urged the European Commission to block Schengen visas for Russian tourists. Maciej Duszczyk emphasized:
“It cannot be that on one hand sanctions are imposed, while on the other, hundreds of thousands of tourist visas are granted.”
The issue has raised alarm among European policymakers. Marie Rantanen stated that “the number of European visas issued to Russian citizens is unacceptable.” Igor Taro voiced concern as well, warning: “This is a future problem for Europe when these people, who are killing and destroying Ukraine, come looking for new challenges.” The ongoing discussions on restricting visas for Russian tourists highlight Europe’s struggle to strike a balance between openness and security amid the current geopolitical climate.
Curbing tourist visas for Russians could significantly impact Europe’s tourism industry and diplomatic relations between Russia and EU member states. At the same time, such measures reflect European countries’ concerns over security and the ethical implications of enabling Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Moving forward, coordinated action among EU nations will be essential to find effective solutions that ensure safety and stability in the region.
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