Two weeks from now, EU foreign ministers will gather in Prague on August 31 for an informal session to discuss potential changes to the Schengen regime aimed at limiting visa issuance for Russian nationals. The discussions come with several exceptions and will be informed by a briefing from Brussels cited by agencies in Russia and across the bloc.
According to sources, Estonia and Finland are among the nations pushing to consider a notable tightening of visa policy. The debate centers on whether to adjust the Schengen Code to allow substantial, organized reductions in annual Russian visa grants, while recognizing that a full suspension remains outside the current legal framework. The plan also contemplates coordinated steps within the existing powers of member states.
At the outset, several countries could adopt a voluntary scheme to limit the daily number of tourist visas issued to Russian applicants. States already prepared to participate would join immediately, with others able to follow later as the framework develops. The intention behind this approach is to identify practical visa-restriction formats that could later attract wider participation across the Union.
There is an understanding that a complete halt on issuing Schengen visas is unlikely. There remain categories of travelers who need access, including civic activists, opposition figures, journalists, and people traveling for humanitarian reasons or urgent medical care, according to the diplomat involved in the discussions.
Comments were made on a proposal to require all Russian entrants to sign statements condemning certain actions. The official noted that this remains a sensitive and controversial topic and did not offer a firm position on it.
The revision of the Schengen Code is a lengthy legal process, and outcomes are not guaranteed. The key visa-issuing powers rest with member states rather than with Brussels, suggesting that any moves toward restricting Russian visa access are likely to emerge from bilateral and multilateral agreements among the states rather than a top-down EU mandate.
“Member states have the right to decide who receives a visa”
EU authorities reiterated that decisions about visa issuance remain under the jurisdiction of individual member states. The European Commission noted that visa activities for Russian citizens have not been halted completely, with humanitarian aid continuing and some exceptions still in effect.
It was announced that, starting August 18 in Estonia, visa restrictions for Russian citizens would be introduced. Russians who have already received a Schengen visa and are present within the country face new limitations on entry. Tallinn indicated that Russian officials and their families working in Estonia could still be admitted, and the door remains open to humanitarian visa decisions. A government briefing reported these measures as a development in Estonia’s visa policy.
Under current rules, entry to Estonia for long-term residents or close relatives with citizenship under other Schengen states would require specific authorization. This reflects a broader pattern: selective restrictions implemented under national discretion, within the broader EU framework.
“Not all people should face sanctions”
Meanwhile, the United Nations raised concerns about Tallinn’s exclusions, arguing the approach could be discriminatory toward Russian citizens. German authorities have also expressed caution, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz indicating that issuing visas to Russian citizens should not be universally halted and that sanctions should be targeted rather than broad. In Helsinki, Finland is exploring a model that prioritizes applicants with strong ties such as family, work, or education, with changes expected to begin in September and a cap discussed for daily applications.
Latvian officials have called for an European-wide pause on tourist visas issued to Russian citizens, describing the measure as an additional sanction against Russia. Lithuanian ministers have expressed support for keeping certain visa channels open for Russians while contemplating a potential overarching approach that could invalidate or suspend broad visa issuance across the bloc. The conversation reflects a balance between security concerns and the practical realities of travel for humanitarian, professional, and family reasons.
The dialogue continues as EU partners weigh their options, considering how to align national interests with collective policy goals. The evolving stance among member states highlights the ongoing negotiation between sovereignty in visa administration and cohesive EU action in response to broader geopolitical events.
Related posts:
{“type”:”string””,value”:”Rewritten article on EU visa policy developments in Poland and broader bloc”} Finland’s evolving approach to Russian visa issuance and border policies Schengen visa guidance for Russians with non-biometric passports: Denmark, Italy, and consular updates Preview of visas: Russia-EU travel policy and regional responses Hungary Keeps Schengen Visa Access Open for Russians, Official Says Restricting Russian Tourism: European Moves Align Across Finland, Estonia, and Poland How to get a Schengen visa and travel to Europe Bulgaria to Issue Schengen Visas to Russians Through Moscow and St. Petersburg Consular Posts Latvia-EU visa row and Estonia’s Schengen move spark regional tension EU Visa Policy Shift: EU Ministers Move to Suspend Russia Visa Facilitation EU Visa Contests: Estonia Tightens Borders and Wider EU Debate Finland Plans to Reduce Russian Tourist Visas and Align EU Policy