EU ministers urge tighter visa rules for Russian citizens

Interior ministers from EU member states met in Luxembourg and called for a stricter Schengen visa regime for Russian passport holders. They argued that the current flow of Russian tourists to European beaches and resorts poses security risks amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, and that the existing visa system enables "visa shopping" and hybrid threats.

The meeting highlighted that the number of visas issued to Russians has fallen from over four million before the war to about half a million in 2024, yet many EU countries – notably France, Spain and Italy – continue to grant multiple‑entry visas. Participants urged the EU to adopt new mandatory restrictions, improve mechanisms to identify Russians who have fought in Ukraine, and coordinate border protection measures, including the use of Frontex and Europol assets. Lithuania’s deputy interior minister Gintaras Aliksandravičius stressed the need for a more unified approach across the Schengen area and warned about emerging aerial threats such as drone incidents and unauthorized balloon flights.

The proposed changes aim to close gaps in the visa system, reduce hybrid infiltration risks, and strengthen overall security for EU member states.