The European Commission has decided to end the issuance of multiple-entry visas to Russian citizens.
The decision was announced on Friday by the European Commission.
“From now on, Russian citizens will no longer be able to obtain multiple-entry visas. This means they will have to apply for a new visa every time they plan to travel to the EU, allowing for thorough and frequent screening to minimize any potential security risks,” the press release stated.
According to the Commission, the decision aims to “mitigate threats to public policy and internal security while allowing exceptions for limited and justified cases, such as independent journalists and human rights defenders, ensuring consistent application across all Member States and preventing circumvention.”
The move is based on a joint assessment by EU Member States within the framework of local Schengen cooperation in Russia and was endorsed by all Member States in the Visa Committee, the European Commission added.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU has taken unprecedented measures to pressure Moscow to end its unjustified aggression. These include the suspension of the EU–Russia visa facilitation agreement and the adoption of recommendations to help Member States de-prioritize and restrict visa issuance to Russian nationals while enhancing border security and control.
“An assessment conducted within the local Schengen cooperation in the Russian Federation in accordance with Article 24(2b) of that Regulation concluded that Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine has profoundly altered the migratory and security risk linked to Russian visa applicants,” the Commission emphasized.
Commenting on the move, Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy Henna Virkkunen said: “Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine continues to pose a serious threat to European security, with increased risks linked to sabotage, disinformation, and drone intrusions into the Union. The EU has consistently tightened entry conditions for Russian citizens since the start of this unlawful aggression. By further restricting visa rules, we are taking an additional and necessary step to protect the security of the European Union and its citizens.”
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas added that Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has created the most dangerous security situation in Europe in decades.
“The EU is tightening visa rules for Russian nationals amid continued drone disruptions and sabotage on European soil. Travelling to the EU is a privilege, not a given,” she said.
