Russia has formally approved a law ending visa-free entry for a wide range of European travelers, with the measure published on the government portal for legal information. This signals a clear change in how visa access between Russia and many European states will be managed in the years ahead.
The revised rules apply not only to all citizens of the European Union but also to residents of Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Practically, the new law replaces the former visa fee exemption for several groups. Close relatives of Russian citizens, students and researchers coming for study or academic exchange, professional athletes, cultural figures, truck drivers, business travelers, and people attending funerals in Russia will now face the visa fee previously waived for them. In effect, the approach broadens the set of travelers who must cover visa costs, aligning expenses with the newly defined eligibility framework.
Alongside changes to who can qualify, the fee structure has also been revised. The prior fixed fee of €35 has been removed, replaced by a variable charge based on urgency and the expected frequency of visa issuance. As a result, the cost to obtain a visa will roughly range from $50 to $300, reflecting different processing speeds and the anticipated travel patterns of applicants. The adjustment aims to balance administrative resources with demand for visa processing while signaling a standardized approach to consular charges for this audience.
Officials from Russia’s Foreign Ministry had previously indicated that a substantial portion of the European population would remain eligible for visas under the updated regime, albeit under new financial terms and eligibility criteria. The ministry suggested that many EU citizens would continue to obtain Russian visas in the coming year, but with conditions that reflect the shifted policy landscape. The policy notes emphasize clarifying who qualifies for visa access and under what financial terms, with the goal of reducing ambiguity for applicants and consular staff alike.
History shows that Russia’s visa policies have evolved in response to broader diplomatic and economic considerations. The introduction of a fee for travelers who were once exempt marks a move toward a more predictable, revenue-conscious model for visa administration. Observers suggest that the real-world impact will depend on how consular services implement the new rules, how quickly applicants adapt to the changed cost framework, and how these changes interact with other travel and business activities involving European citizens. (Source: Russian Foreign Ministry statements)