The European Union has announced that citizens of the Russian Federation will now be required to apply for a new visa each time they intend to travel to the bloc.
The EU’s move today, framed as a security measure, will subject every Russian application to repeated, case-by-case scrutiny.
Officials in the bloc say the aim is to minimise threats from Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has created the most dangerous security environment in Europe for decades,” said Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
“We now face unprecedented drone disruptions and sabotage on our soil. We have a duty to protect our citizens.
“Stricter rules will now apply to Russian nationals requesting a visa to travel to the EU. Travelling to and freely moving within the EU is a privilege, not a given,” she added.
The announcement follows October’s 19th package of sanctions, which already targeted Russian diplomats operating within the bloc.
Under those measures, Moscow’s envoys must now notify host countries before travelling within the Schengen Area. For Brussels, this move is a direct response to the Kremlin’s “increasingly hostile intelligence activities”.
Mangnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, said with the latest move, the EU is protecting its border.
“The protection of the EU’s external borders requires the implementation of robust and comprehensive visa management rules,” he said.
“Under the newly adopted provisions, all visa applications submitted by nationals of the Russian Federation will be subject to enhanced verification procedures and elevated levels of scrutiny.
“This will contribute to the integrity and security of the Schengen area,” Brunner concluded.
In 2024, Russians was among the top five nationalities applying for Schengen visas.
According to the latest EC figures for 2024, 606,594 applied for a visa, some 85,000 more than in 2023, at 520,387.
