Italy alongside France, Greece and Spain Continue Welcoming Russian Tourists as EU Remains Split Over Ban During the Russia–Ukraine War: Everything You Need to Know

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Published on
October 30, 2025

Italy, alongside France, Greece, and Spain, continues to welcome Russian tourists despite growing pressure within the European Union to impose a travel ban in response to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war. This divide stems from differing national priorities—while countries like Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States favor tighter restrictions to show solidarity with Ukraine, southern European nations rely heavily on tourism revenue and maintain that travel should remain separate from politics. The EU’s inability to reach a unanimous decision has left the bloc split, with varying visa policies, complex travel routes, and conflicting diplomatic stances shaping how Russians continue to visit Europe amid one of the most contentious geopolitical periods in recent history.

Despite the war, Russians continue to visit Europe, but their journey has become more complicated. Visa applications are now more costly and time-consuming, and while the European Commission has refrained from introducing a blanket ban on Russian travelers, various restrictions remain in place across the EU.

Diverging National Policies: A Mixed Approach

While there is no blanket ban on Russian tourists, the visa process for Russian nationals has become considerably more complex. The suspension of the EU-Russia Visa Facilitation Agreement means that Russian travelers are now subject to stricter criteria and longer wait times when applying for a Schengen visa. This has made visiting Europe a more difficult and expensive proposition for many Russian citizens.

Different EU countries have adopted varying policies. Countries on the eastern borders of the EU, such as the Czech Republic, Poland, and Finland, have taken a harder line. In 2024, for example, the Czech Republic issued just 148 visas to Russian nationals, while Poland issued 251, and Finland granted 3,211 visas. The Baltic States—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—collectively issued 3,882 visas.

In contrast, Western European countries like Italy, France, Spain, and Greece have continued to issue a higher number of visas. In 2024, Italy issued 152,254 Schengen visas, while France granted 123,890, Spain issued 111,527, and Greece provided 59,703 visas. Hungary, which has adopted a more lenient stance, issued 23,382 visas.

Growing Demand Despite Hurdles

Although the process has become more challenging, the demand for Schengen visas from Russian nationals has increased. According to the European Commission, in 2024, Russian citizens submitted around 606,000 visa applications, marking a 16% increase compared to the previous year. Of these applications, approximately 550,000 were approved, reflecting a 9% rise from 2023.

This surge in applications indicates that, despite the increased costs and stricter requirements, Russian citizens remain eager to travel to Europe. The allure of European destinations, with their rich cultural offerings, historical landmarks, and modern attractions, continues to draw Russian tourists, even in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Rerouted Journeys: Longer Travel Times and Higher Costs

With direct flights between Russia and the EU still suspended, Russian travelers have had to find alternative routes, typically via third-party countries. Popular transit points include Turkey and the UAE, with Central Asia and Serbia also serving as occasional hubs. For instance, Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport, connected to four Russian cities, operates up to 24 weekly flights in 2024, a far cry from the daily flights to Moscow that existed before the war.

These detours have added both time and cost to travel, making the journey to Europe longer and more expensive. Despite these challenges, Russian tourists are still traveling to the EU. The Russian Association of Tour Operators has reported a 15% to 20% increase in Russian tourist visits to Europe during the 2024 summer season, compared to the previous year.

Reduced But Persistent Russian Presence in Europe

While the number of Russian visitors to the EU has dropped significantly since the war began, it is projected that 1.4 million Russians will visit Europe in 2024. This is a sharp decline from the 4 million Russian tourists who traveled to the EU in 2019. In contrast, around 6.7 million Russians are expected to visit Turkey in 2024, highlighting the shifting travel preferences as a result of the conflict and travel barriers.

The reduction in Russian tourism to Europe can be attributed to the additional logistical difficulties and rising costs of travel. However, despite these obstacles, there remains a strong desire among Russian travelers to visit European countries, particularly during the summer months. The decrease in overall numbers does not reflect a lack of interest in Europe, but rather the challenges posed by the war and its impact on travel logistics.

Economic and Diplomatic Ramifications

The fluctuating numbers of Russian tourists have significant implications for both the European tourism industry and EU foreign policy. While some countries continue to benefit from Russian spending, others are grappling with the broader economic and political consequences of the war. The EU’s fragmented approach to Russian tourism reflects deeper divisions within the union on how to handle the fallout from the conflict in Ukraine.

As the situation evolves, the EU will face increasing pressure to balance its political stance with the economic realities of the tourism industry. The future of Russian tourism to Europe remains uncertain, shaped by both shifting political dynamics and the changing patterns of travel from Russia.