Published on
November 10, 2025
Europe’s travel landscape is undergoing significant changes as the European Union enforces stricter visa rules for Russian nationals, primarily due to heightened security concerns arising from Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. The European Commission’s decision to limit Russian travelers to single-entry visas, rather than multiple-entry options, aims to address increasing risks related to espionage, sabotage, and disinformation. With this policy shift, the EU is taking a firmer stance on security, tightening the process for Russian citizens seeking to enter the Schengen area and reshaping the future of travel between Russia and Europe.
In a significant move to bolster security amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, the European Union (EU) has introduced a series of sweeping changes to the visa application process for Russian citizens. These changes, aimed at addressing heightened security risks, have set a new precedent for Europe’s approach to Russian nationals seeking to travel within the Schengen area. With the war in Ukraine continuing to escalate, the EU has opted for more stringent visa policies, signaling a pivotal shift in how travel to and within Europe will unfold for Russian citizens.
Background: Heightened Security Concerns and the EU’s New Measures
The European Commission announced on November 6, 2025, that the new rules, which specifically target short-stay visas for Russian nationals, are part of an effort to address what it calls “increased security risks” due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Henna Virkkunen, the Vice President of the European Commission, explained that Russia’s continued aggression poses significant threats to European security, citing risks like sabotage, disinformation, drone incursions, and potential espionage.
As a result, Russia’s citizens will now face stricter vetting processes when applying for visas. The key change: Russian nationals will no longer be able to apply for multiple-entry visas, a privilege that had been available to many tourists and business travelers in the past. This change means that every new trip to the Schengen area will require Russian nationals to submit a fresh visa application, with each visit scrutinized more closely. The EU aims to monitor and mitigate any potential risks by frequently reviewing the applicants, particularly as tensions rise across Europe.
What’s New: The Stricter Visa Rules
Under the new rules, Russian citizens will no longer be granted multiple-entry Schengen visas, which had allowed them to travel within the Schengen zone multiple times over a period of years. Instead, they will have to apply for single-entry visas for each visit, meaning that anyone traveling to the EU will need to go through the visa application process every time they plan to enter.
This shift represents a substantial change in how the EU handles Russian travelers. Previously, multiple-entry visas had been granted to Russian citizens for a period of up to five years in some cases. The policy change comes after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which led to a widespread reevaluation of how Russian nationals should be treated in the context of European travel.
While the policy restricts the number of entries for Russian nationals, it also ensures that their applications undergo more frequent and thorough checks. The European Commission has emphasized that the change is necessary to prevent any potential security risks, especially in light of the current geopolitical landscape.
Exceptions to the Rule: Who Still Qualifies for Multiple-Entry Visas?
Despite the toughened visa restrictions, the European Union has acknowledged that certain categories of travelers from Russia still require more flexible visa arrangements. These exceptions include:
Political dissidents and human rights activists: The EU has made it clear that individuals who are politically active and may be at risk in Russia due to their views will continue to be eligible for multiple-entry visas. These exceptions are aimed at providing protection for those who may face persecution upon return to Russia.Journalists: Independent journalists who face threats due to their work in Russia will still be granted multiple-entry visas, enabling them to travel freely within the EU. This policy is in place to protect the freedom of press and to ensure that international reporting can continue despite the increasing pressure on journalists in Russia.Immediate family members of Russian nationals residing in the EU: Russian citizens with close family members living in the European Union will be granted a visa for a period of up to one year. This exemption aims to ensure that families can stay connected even as broader restrictions are enforced.Transport workers: A significant category of workers who are directly involved in the logistics and transportation industries, such as drivers, pilots, and railway workers, will be eligible for visas lasting up to nine months. This allows for the continued flow of trade and transportation within the EU and beyond.
These exceptions ensure that the EU’s tightening visa rules don’t entirely cut off Russian nationals who may have valid reasons to travel, either for humanitarian, professional, or family-related purposes. However, these exceptions are narrow, and many Russian nationals will find themselves facing additional hurdles when applying for visas.
Impact on Russian Travel to Europe: A Decline in Applications
The shift in visa policies is part of a broader trend that has already seen a sharp decline in Russian applications for European visas since the onset of the war. In 2019, prior to the invasion of Ukraine, the EU issued over 4 million short-stay visas to Russian citizens, with many choosing Europe as a destination for tourism, business, and family visits. However, after the invasion, the number of visas issued to Russians plummeted, and by 2023, only 500,000 short-stay visas were granted.
The downward trend began with the suspension of the Schengen visa facilitation agreement in 2022, which made it significantly more difficult and expensive for Russian citizens to obtain visas. The new rules further restrict access to the Schengen area, especially for those who had enjoyed the benefits of multiple-entry visas.
Interestingly, however, in 2024, there was a slight uptick in the number of Russian visa applications, with the EU recording 606,594 applications. The share of visa refusals also decreased slightly, from 10.6% in 2023 to 7.5% in 2024. This trend indicates that some Russian nationals are still keen to visit Europe, despite the stricter visa regime. Popular destinations like Italy, France, and Spain continue to issue the highest number of visas, with tourism still playing a key role in the relationships between Russia and these European countries.
The Wider Geopolitical Context: Visa Policy as a Tool of Foreign Policy
The new visa restrictions on Russian nationals are not just a response to migration and security concerns—they are also part of the EU’s broader strategy to respond to Russia’s actions on the global stage. The war in Ukraine has prompted the EU to use visa policy as a tool for geopolitical leverage, making it more difficult for Russian nationals to travel freely across the Schengen area.
The EU has made it clear that the tightening of visa rules is a direct result of Russia’s aggression and the increasing security risks posed by the country’s actions. As tensions continue to escalate, it is likely that further measures could be implemented to limit Russian travel even more. The EU’s decision to use visa policy in this way underscores the importance of international diplomacy and security in shaping the future of European travel.
What This Means for Travelers and the Travel Industry
For Russian nationals, the new visa rules mean a more complex and costly process for anyone seeking to travel to Europe. Travelers will need to plan ahead, submit new visa applications for every trip, and potentially face longer processing times and more rigorous checks.
For the European travel industry, these changes will likely lead to a reduction in Russian tourists and business visitors, particularly in countries that have traditionally been popular with Russian nationals. However, some destinations may benefit from these changes, as a reduction in the number of Russian tourists could create space for visitors from other regions.
Additionally, the new visa rules are expected to increase the workload for consulates and visa processing centers, as Russian nationals will now need to apply more frequently for visas. This could lead to longer wait times and increased demand for visa services, affecting both Russian nationals and European authorities tasked with processing applications.
Conclusion: A Changing Landscape for Europe Travel
The EU’s decision to impose stricter visa rules for Russian citizens represents a major shift in the landscape of European travel. While the changes are aimed at addressing security risks and responding to Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, they also have significant implications for both Russian nationals and the European travel industry. As the situation evolves, travelers and tourism professionals alike will need to adapt to these new realities, navigating a more complex and uncertain travel environment.
Europe travel faces new challenges as the EU imposes stricter visa rules for Russian nationals due to escalating security risks linked to Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. These measures, including the removal of multiple-entry visas, aim to mitigate potential threats from espionage and other security concerns.
The tightening of visa rules reflects the EU’s growing use of immigration policy as a tool of geopolitical strategy, signaling the increasing intersection of security, politics, and tourism. As European countries continue to reassess their relationship with Russia, travelers and businesses will need to stay informed about future developments and adapt accordingly. With travel to Europe becoming more challenging for Russian nationals, it remains to be seen how these changes will shape the future of international tourism in the coming years.
