The European Commission has pledged to tighten visa rules for Russian nationals, bowing to pressure from a coalition of 11 European countries that accused France, Italy, and Spain of undermining collective efforts to restrict travel from Russia. The new measures, expected as part of a broader revision of the Schengen Visa Code in 2026, will be limited in scope, as visa issuance remains a national prerogative.
Markus Lammert, the Commission's spokesperson for migration, confirmed the move on Friday, stating: "We will propose to introduce targeted restrictive visa measures to further address security risks stemming from hostile actions by third countries." He declined to elaborate on specifics, noting the revision is scheduled for next year and will not affect the upcoming summer season.
Nordic-Led Coalition Demands Consistency
The announcement follows a strongly worded letter sent earlier this week by 11 countries: the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden. Iceland and Norway, though not EU members, are part of the Schengen Area. The letter, spearheaded by Sweden, criticized the "fragmentation" of visa policies, arguing that uneven implementation of 2022 guidelines—which de-prioritized non-essential Russian travel and phased out multi-entry visas in 2025—undermines public trust and sends contradictory signals.
"The uneven implementation of these guidelines across Member States leaves much to be desired, as it lacks both solidarity and consistency," the letter states. "Fragmentation weakens our leverage, undermines public trust, and risks sending contradictory signals at a moment when clarity and resolve are needed."
The coalition called for new "restrictive and binding" measures, improved implementation of existing rules, and regular statistical updates on visa issuance. The Commission defended its track record, noting that annual Schengen visas granted to Russians dropped from 4 million before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine to roughly 500,000 in 2025. "Restricting the issuance of visas to Russian citizens has been a top priority for the Commission from the very start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022," Lammert said.
France, Italy, and Spain Under Fire
Despite the overall decline, three tourist-friendly countries stand out. In 2025, France issued nearly 180,000 visas to Russians—a significant increase from 2024. Italy followed with just under 160,000, and Spain with nearly 100,000. The letter implicitly criticized these nations, noting: "It has been deeply troubling to witness increasing numbers of Russian tourists enjoying leisure travel on European beaches and in European resorts while missiles and drones continue to strike civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine."
Opponents of the Swedish-led initiative argue that the numbers reflect the larger size of these countries and their higher application volumes. They also contend that travel permits do not undermine EU sanctions, as individuals responsible for the war are already targeted. The debate echoes broader tensions over internal border controls, as seen in Berlin's defiance of Brussels on internal border checks, and the ongoing anti-tourism sentiment across Spain, Italy, and France.
The Commission's proposal is part of a wider effort to balance security concerns with the practicalities of visa management. As the revision proceeds, the coalition's call for binding measures may gain traction, especially amid rising support for EU institutions across the continent, as highlighted in a recent Pew survey showing increased EU support, including in the UK. The outcome will test the bloc's ability to maintain unity on Russia policy while respecting national sovereignty over visa issuance.
