The European Commission has announced new measures to make it harder for Russian citizens to obtain visas to the EU. After member states adopted sanctions in July, Brussels is expected to present implementing legislation soon. At the recent EU summit in Brussels, which concluded on 16 October, member state leaders advocated further tightening visa requirements for Russian citizens.
During a press conference on Monday, European Commission spokesman Markus Lammert emphasised that individual member states issue visas, and national authorities evaluate each application on a case-by-case basis. Nonetheless, he noted that the European Commission can coordinate EU-level action and encouraged member countries to follow the guidelines established in 2022. These guidelines recommend deprioritising visa requests from Russian nationals and more thoroughly assessing potential security threats.
Lammert reported a significant decline in visas issued to Russians across the EU, saying, “In 2022, approximately 4 million visas were issued across the EU, compared to around 618,000 to 620,000 in 2025.” He also reiterated the existing restrictions on multiple-entry visas for Russian citizens and said the EU will introduce additional measures in the near future.
These forthcoming measures form part of the 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia, which includes provisions for establishing a visa ban on combatants, former soldiers of the Russian armed forces, and members of other armed groups participating in the conflict in Ukraine. Lammert confirmed that the Commission is actively working to implement this visa ban and that, once finalised, it will present the details to the Council of the EU. The Council will then determine when the ban will come into effect.
