There are more Russians with tourist visas in Europe

The European Union is preparing its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which could include tighter rules on tourist visas and the freedom of movement for diplomats, writes Euractiv.

According to the European Commission, more than half a million Russians received a Schengen visa in 2024, which represents an increase over the previous year. Therefore, harmonization of the rules is being discussed. These were already changed in September 2022 when the Union's agreement on visa facilitation with Russia expired.

Poland, Czechia, Finland, and the Baltic states hardly issue any visas to Russians anymore, while countries such as Spain, Italy, France, Greece, and Hungary are relatively generous in issuing visas.

The Czech Republic is also pushing for Russian diplomats to be allowed to travel only in the country where they are accredited, thus preventing them from traveling freely within the Schengen area.

The proposal is supported by the frontline states, which point to the danger of espionage and sabotage. More skeptical member states, however, fear possible Russian retaliation against European diplomats on the ground and emphasize their doubts about how effectively the rules can be enforced without internal border controls.

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