EU moves to tighten tourist visas for Russian citizens
EU members of the European Parliament, including Verena Mertens (CDU) and Jan‑Christoph Oetjen (FDP), urged the European Commission to act quickly on revising Schengen visa rules. They argue that the generous issuance of tourist visas to Russian citizens normalises aggression while the Kremlin continues its war in Ukraine and poses a security risk.
The EU Commission is asked to use all available levers to curb the practice. Data from the Commission show that 77 % of all Schengen visas issued last year (477,878) went to Russian nationals. Italy, France and Spain – the three Mediterranean states that have continued large‑scale issuance – granted 161,121, 156,547 and 123,359 visas respectively in 2025, each recording sizable increases over the previous year. In early June, eleven EU states sent a letter to the Commission criticizing the generous visa policy of these three countries. MEPs warn that if new rules are delayed until 2027, Russian tourists could again flock to European beaches in large numbers.
Entities: European Union · Jan‑Christoph Oetjen · Russian citizens · Schengen Area · Verena Mertens
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Eleven EU states sent a letter in early June criticizing the generous visa issuance by Italy, France and Spain. (EU states (letter))
- [● 4 SOURCES] Italy issued 161,121 tourist visas to Russian citizens in 2025, an increase of 8,900 over 2024. (EU Commission data)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Spain issued 123,359 tourist visas to Russian citizens in 2025, an increase of 11,822 over 2024. (EU Commission data)
- [● 4 SOURCES] EU MEP Verena Mertens said tourist visas for Russian citizens should not become normal while Russia continues its war. (Verena Mertens (CDU))
- [● 4 SOURCES] France issued 156,547 tourist visas to Russian citizens in 2025, an increase of 32,657 over 2024. (EU Commission data)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The EU Commission was urged to use all available levers to change Schengen visa rules and stop generous issuance to Russian citizens. (EU Commission (as urged by MEPs))
- [● 4 SOURCES] 77 % of all Schengen visas issued last year (477,878) were granted to Russian citizens. (EU Commission data)
- [● 4 SOURCES] EU MEP Jan‑Christoph Oetjen called on the EU Commission to propose revisions to the visa code quickly. (Jan‑Christoph Oetjen (FDP))