EU Plans Stricter Schengen Visas for Russians by December 2025

(EUROPEAN UNION (EU)) The European Commission plans to publish new non-binding guidance by December 2025 that would tighten how Schengen states handle visa applications from Russian citizens and other countries described by some capitals as “hostile.” Officials say the move responds to mounting security concerns and pressure from member states bordering Russia that already apply much tougher filters. While the guidance would not change EU law, it would urge consulates to apply stricter entry criteria, run deeper security checks, and accept fewer reasons for travel.

Why the guidance is being proposed

Eastern members—Poland, Czechia, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania—have led the charge since 2022, sharply limiting or blocking most tourist applications from Russians. Western and southern governments, including France, Spain, Italy, and Hungary, have continued to process requests more broadly, creating uneven practices across the bloc. The Commission wants to narrow those gaps without taking away national control. Spokespersons emphasize that governments will keep the final say on who gets a visa.

The security focus mirrors concerns raised across Europe since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Diplomats and security agencies cite risks tied to espionage, sabotage, and abuse of diplomatic privileges. Border states argue that cleaving to stricter controls is necessary to protect critical sites and curb covert activity. According to diplomats from those countries, the upcoming guidance is “long overdue,” even if they would prefer binding steps.

What the guidance would recommend

Under the forthcoming guidelines, consulates are expected to:

• Slow down approvals and extend processing windows
• Ask for more and more detailed supporting documents
• Expand background and security screening
• Accept fewer reasons for tourism, business, or study trips

Many applicants should prepare for longer processing times and the possibility of higher service fees. Consulates may keep exceptions for urgent humanitarian needs, family reasons, and other special cases—but those will also face tighter scrutiny.

The Commission’s plan reflects a political compromise: endorse tougher screening through “guidelines,” but avoid a one-size-fits-all rulebook that would require lengthy negotiations and could face legal challenges.

Recent visa trends and political responses

Visa totals reflect a sharp drop from pre-war levels. In 2024, EU consulates issued over 500,000 Schengen visas to Russian citizens—an increase compared with 2023, but far below the roughly 4 million issued in 2019. Eastern governments see that rebound as proof that practices remain too loose in some parts of the bloc. Western officials counter that screening already works and that more selective tools—like individual vetting and sanctions—can manage the risks without punishing ordinary travelers.

Notable voices:
– Baiba Braže, Latvia’s foreign minister, urged a common approach to ensure consistency.
– Jan Lipavský, Czech foreign minister, pushed for tighter limits on Russian diplomats, citing ongoing security threats.
– Yulia Navalnaya, a prominent Russian opposition figure and widow of Alexei Navalny, warned against blanket travel limits, arguing they harm ordinary Russians and fuel Kremlin propaganda.

Human rights groups and parts of civil society share concerns that isolation will push people away from pro-European views.

Relation to sanctions and other measures

The policy debate sits alongside, but separate from, the EU’s expanding sanctions regime. Officials note the new guidance on visas is not part of the 19th sanctions package under discussion. Some capitals support adding more travel restrictions for officials and regime-linked figures in future rounds; others prefer to keep sanctions targeted and avoid a sweeping tourist ban at EU level for now. Despite periodic calls for a bloc-wide tourist visa ban, there is currently no plan for a binding ban.

Practical effects for applicants

Applicants in Russia should expect concrete procedural shifts:

• Consular staff may ask for more comprehensive proof of ties to home, detailed travel histories, and clearer reasons for short stays.
• Mismatches or gaps in documents could trigger extra checks.
• Decisions may take longer even when applications are accepted.
• Some countries may prioritize humanitarian or family cases and rarely issue visas for tourism or business.

Specific likely outcomes include:

1. More intensive checks: deeper reviews of travel history, financial means, and possible security flags
2. Fewer accepted reasons: narrower interpretation of acceptable tourism, business, or study trips
3. Slower timelines and higher costs: extended processing windows and higher service fees

Officials stress these are recommendations, not legal changes. Each Schengen country will continue to issue or refuse visas under its own risk judgment. The Commission wants consulates to share more information, compare risk factors, and close loopholes created by uneven practices.

Impact on families, students, and business travelers

Tighter screening can add months of delay and fresh uncertainty for families separated across borders. Examples:

• A retired teacher in St. Petersburg hoping to visit a grandchild in Prague could face a longer wait while consulates verify documents and review security databases.
• Students and researchers may receive closer checks on funding sources, host institutions, and travel patterns.
• Business travelers could be asked for detailed proof of contracts, company ties, and return commitments.
• Even frequent travelers with previously clean records may find repeat applications take longer.

Security analysts argue these steps are necessary to counter hostile activities, especially in border states where infrastructure and energy networks have become soft targets. Human rights groups warn the measures risk punishing people with no link to the state and undermining cultural and educational ties.

Background: previous measures and divergence among member states

The EU suspended its Visa Facilitation Agreement with Russia in September 2022, which made applications more complex and more expensive for Russians. Since then, national policies have diverged: eastern states adopted de facto blocks on most tourist visas, while others kept limited channels open.

The December 2025 guidance aims to narrow those differences by setting a common baseline for stronger vetting. It also reflects lessons from recent incidents and security probes that led governments to reassess short-stay entry.

Possible future scenarios

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the Commission’s approach reflects the political reality of a divided bloc:

• Use guidance to steer practice while leaving legal discretion to capitals
• Reassess if risks grow and consider tougher collective action if needed
• Ease back if the security picture improves, with some countries pushing to restore more balanced Schengen rules

For now, the trajectory points to more scrutiny, not less.

The Commission plans to publish the guidance by the end of December 2025. After publication, each country will decide how closely to follow it and how fast. Observers expect continued debate in the Council over the scope of any future steps, including whether a full tourist ban for Russians should reenter the agenda. For now, officials say the focus is on practical measures consulates can apply quickly.

Policy Changes Overview

• The European Commission will issue non-binding recommendations to tighten screening for Russians and certain other nationals by December 2025.
• The guidance will encourage stricter entry criteria, more security checks, and potentially higher service fees and longer processing times.
• Humanitarian, family, and other exceptional cases may still be considered, but with greater scrutiny and delays.
• Eastern states back tougher steps and want more; some western and southern states favor targeted controls instead of broad limits.

Impact on Applicants (summary)

• Russians seeking short-stay Schengen visas should prepare for fuller documentation, detailed travel plans, and longer waits.
• Tourism and business travel could face the sharpest limits, while humanitarian and family visits remain possible but harder.
• The trend since 2022—less access, more checks, slower decisions—will likely continue across more consulates once the guidance is released.

Applicants and sponsors should track official updates and country-specific rules through the European Commission Migration and Home Affairs portal and the consular pages of the country they plan to visit. While the guidelines will not be binding, they will shape how consulates assess risk and decide who gets a visa—and how fast. For many families, students, and workers, the difference will be felt not in new law, but in the slower, stricter process at the visa window.