Friday, November 7, 2025 -On Thursday, the European Commission clarified that discussions regarding the potential ban on multi-entry Schengen visas for Russian citizens have not been part of any EU decision. However, the Commission acknowledged that it is currently assessing further measures in collaboration with member states.
Responding to a recent report suggesting that the EU intends to phase out multi-entry visas for Russian nationals, Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert held a press briefing in Brussels. He emphasized that the EU refrains from commenting on unsubstantiated information. Nevertheless, Lammert drew attention to the actions taken by the EU since the commencement of the war.
In 2022, the EU suspended its visa facilitation agreement with Russia and issued guidelines that urged member states to prioritize visa applications from Russian nationals and enhance security and border controls.
Lammert recalled that the Commission closely monitors the implementation of these guidelines and is collaborating with member states to ensure their consistent adherence. He highlighted that these measures have resulted in a notable decline in Schengen visas issued to Russian nationals, with a significant reduction from over 4 million in 2019 to 500,000 in 2023.
Nevertheless, Lammert emphasized that discussions on multi-entry visa schemes were not part of the decisions or guidelines adopted thus far. On Wednesday, Politico reported that the European Union is preparing to implement stricter visa regulations for Russian citizens, potentially ending the issuance of multi-entry Schengen permits in most cases as part of new measures against the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Additionally, the EU’s 19th sanctions package includes new restrictions on Russian diplomats, requiring them to notify member states prior to traveling across the Schengen Area to counter what Brussels referred to as “increasingly hostile intelligence activities.”
The Commission is scheduled to present a new, comprehensive visa strategy next month, urging member countries to utilize visa policy as a tool against hostile states and apply more stringent criteria to nationals from Russia and other countries deemed security risks.
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