Finland is moving to reduce the number of tourist visas issued to Russian citizens, with priority going to travelers entering for family reasons, education, or business. This plan was outlined by Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto on Tuesday, August 16.
He noted that a new mechanism will limit ordinary tourist visas while prioritizing those visiting for familial ties, studies, or work commitments. Haavisto described the proposal as a reasonable adjustment to visa policy. In his view, the trend reflects a measured approach to visa issuance rather than a blanket restriction.
Currently, Russian applicants submit roughly 1,000 visa requests each day. The new framework could see daily applications pared down to about 100–200 in the near term.
Haavisto emphasized the importance of forging a consolidated European Union stance on visas for Russian citizens. If major Schengen partners maintain existing patterns, Russian travelers could still reach other European destinations via Finland. He said he would raise the topic at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Prague by the end of August, with a broader decision anticipated by late September, though Helsinki could act sooner.
“Decisions at the Finnish level will definitely come out in August,” the foreign minister stated. The government cabinet was expected to discuss the possibility of restricting tourist visas for Russians on Tuesday.
What restrictions are other countries considering?
Estonia has announced that Russian citizens who already hold a Schengen visa issued by Estonia will have entry to Estonia restricted as of August 18. Latvia is reviewing previously issued residence permits, and Latvian President Egils Levits indicated that future citizenship-related permits granted to Russian nationals could also be halted.
According to Haavisto, visa issuance to Russian citizens must be reconsidered at the European level as a sanctions measure against Russia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, however, stated that stopping Schengen visas for Russians is not a scenario he can envision. Denmark is weighing a similar reduction in tourist visas for Russians, linking the move to Russia’s recent military actions in Ukraine.
Against this backdrop, there is debate about whether EU borders could effectively close to Russians. Some travelers argue that country-by-country measures would be the practical path, noting the difficulty of policing movement within the union and suggesting a full ban might be politically driven rather than practical. This view is reported by TourDom.ru and other travel industry observers.
Travelers reportedly seek Schengen visas for future use, with Hungary sometimes offering faster appointment slots at consular services. However, Hungarian visas are typically issued for the duration of a single trip. Industry voices note that travelers often face longer processing times in several jurisdictions, with some countries taking two to three weeks or more to issue approvals.
Industry spokespeople say the nations handling the highest volume of visa requests include Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Greece. Finland had previously been among the leading destinations for visa applications. Some observers highlight that Italian consular services may offer quicker timelines, though processing in other countries can extend to several weeks, depending on the specific visa regime and consular capacity.
Overall, the evolving visa landscape reflects a broader conversation about migration management, security, and the role of the EU in coordinating policies toward Russian travelers. Stakeholders continue to monitor government statements and ministerial gatherings for any shifts that could affect travel planning, business engagements, and educational opportunities across Europe. [EU policy discussions] [regional government briefings] [travel industry reports]