The EU is preparing stricter visa regulations for Russian citizens following pressure from Sweden and other countries. The concern is that Russians may exploit the EU’s hospitality to carry out sabotage and hybrid attacks.
The European Commission is working on a proposal that will limit Russian citizens’ ability to enter the Schengen Area.
The backdrop is growing concern that Russia is using the current visa system for sabotage, arson, and other forms of hybrid warfare against European countries.
Sweden, together with countries including Poland and Estonia, has pushed for tighter restrictions, and according to media reports, the Commission is expected to present a proposal in January 2027.
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In 2025, about 478,000 tourist visas were issued to Russian citizens. Many of these were so-called multi-visas, which allow multiple entries and exits from the Schengen Area without applying for a new visa each time.
Strömmer: Enemies Could Exploit the System
Sweden’s Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) believes that today’s regulations come with security risks that foreign powers could exploit. He welcomes growing support within the EU for a more restrictive visa policy, though he would have preferred the changes to be implemented sooner.
– I think it’s obvious to everyone that we have vulnerabilities in our system that our enemies can exploit, Strömmer told Politico, and continued:
– As far as I know, the Commission is preparing a proposal that, from what I have heard, will be put forward in January next year. From Sweden’s perspective, we would very much like to see this happen even earlier.
Desire to Bar Former Russian Soldiers
Another issue concerns Russian soldiers who have returned from the war in Ukraine. Estonia wants to introduce a ban preventing individuals who have previously served in the Russian military from entering.
According to Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, this could affect about 650,000 former Russian combatants who may be subject to the restrictions.
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Tsahkna warns that Russian intelligence services may use former soldiers to carry out violent acts and other destabilizing operations in Europe.
– I believe a large number of these former combatants will come to Europe with the support of the Russian intelligence service, he told Politico, and continued:
– And they will take over our organized crime and will be heavily armed and supported by Russia to carry out terror attacks or attacks on our communities.
EU Wants to Reduce the Number of Visas
EU’s Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner notes that the number of visas issued to Russian citizens is no longer decreasing, after an initial drop following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He therefore urges member states to be more restrictive and considers a new regulatory framework at the beginning of next year reasonable.
– You never really know who these tourists are, Brunner told Politico.
However, no comparable urgency to limit immigration from the Middle East and Africa is evident in the current initiative.