EU Ends Multi-Entry Visas for Russian Nationals Amid Heightened Security Concerns

EU Tightens Visa Regime for Russian Citizens

The European Union announced new, stricter visa regulations for Russian nationals, effective November 7, 2025. The primary change dictates that Russian citizens will no longer be issued multi-entry visas for the Schengen area, instead generally receiving single-entry visas, necessitating a new application for each planned trip to the bloc. This decision, communicated by the European Commission, is a direct response to heightened security concerns amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Escalation of Restrictions and Enhanced Scrutiny

Under the newly adopted provisions, Russian nationals will now be required to apply for a new visa every time they intend to travel to the EU. This policy shift aims to enable 'close and frequent scrutiny of applicants to mitigate any potential security risk,' according to statements from Brussels. The Schengen area, which encompasses 25 of the 27 EU member countries along with Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, will be subject to these revised rules. This move represents a significant tightening of travel conditions for Russian citizens, making the process more complex, costly, and time-consuming.

Security Concerns and Official Statements

EU officials have explicitly linked these new restrictions to a range of security threats. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated, 'We now face unprecedented drone disruptions and sabotage on our soil,' adding that 'Travelling to and freely moving within the EU is a privilege not a given.' The European Commission cited concerns including the 'weaponisation of migration,' 'sabotage attempts,' 'disinformation,' 'drone incursions,' and the potential misuse of Schengen visas. European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen emphasized that 'Russia's illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine continues to pose a serious threat to European security, with increased risks related to sabotage, disinformation and drone incursions in the Union.'

Previous Measures and Limited Exceptions

This latest measure builds upon earlier actions taken by the EU. In September 2022, the EU fully suspended its Visa Facilitation Agreement with Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This initial suspension already made visa applications more expensive, increasing the fee from €35 to €80, and extended processing times from 10 to 15 days, potentially up to 45 days. Despite the broad restrictions, certain categories of applicants will still be eligible for exceptions. These include individuals whose 'reliability and integrity is without doubt,' such as independent journalists, dissidents, and human rights defenders, as well as close family members of EU citizens or Russian nationals residing in the EU.

Impact on Russian Travelers

The number of Schengen visas issued to Russian citizens has seen a dramatic decline since the initial restrictions. While approximately 4 million visas were granted in 2019, this figure dropped to around 500,000 in 2023. Although there was a slight increase to over 500,000 in 2024, the new policy is expected to further complicate travel for most Russian nationals, particularly those who frequently visited Europe for tourism or business. The EU's decision underscores a continued effort to exert pressure on Moscow and enhance the bloc's internal security in response to the ongoing geopolitical tensions.