Russian Travellers Face Possible Schengen Visa Curbs, Led by Poland

European Union officials are considering tighter Schengen visa rules for Russian citizens amid concerns about hybrid attacks and sabotage across the bloc. Poland, Sweden and Estonia are spearheading the plans, which could limit Russian travellers to the country that issued their visa instead of the wider Schengen area, the EU's border-free travel zone.

Key facts

• 15 October 2026: European Parliament President Roberta Metsola urged Brussels to press ahead with targeted visa restrictions.
• The EU executive is expected to propose "planning" targeted visa restrictions in early 2027.
• Poland, Sweden and Estonia are leading the plans; Germany has made its own proposal.
• Finland's prime minister wants to propose a complete halt to tourist visas for Russian citizens.
• No decision, start date or new fee has been announced.

What is being discussed?

The EU Council working group on visa policy met on Wednesday to debate issuing Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) visas to Russian applicants. An LTV visa would restrict a traveller to the borders of the state that issued it, rather than granting access to the entire Schengen zone. The outcome of those talks was not made public.

Germany has proposed requiring member states that still issue visas for non-essential travel to switch to LTV visas. Ireland, which holds the EU Council's rotating presidency, warned that the measure might not stop security threats from spreading across the bloc.

Who is pushing for the changes?

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called for targeted restrictions after a summit of EU leaders on Thursday, saying: "We must also increase pressure on Russia, notably by making progress on targeted visa restrictions." She also called for increased support for Ukraine.

Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said last week that he planned to propose a complete halt to tourist visas for Russian citizens at the ongoing European Council summit, citing fears of sabotage in Europe.

When could the rules change?

The EU executive is expected to propose "planning" targeted visa restrictions in early 2027. No start date has been announced, and the working group's discussions have not produced a public outcome.

Why is this happening?

The proposals follow an alleged drone plot in Germany in August involving a Russian passport holder who reportedly entered the Schengen zone on an Italian tourist visa.

What this means for travellers

Tourism industry experts told the Russian Union of the Tourism Industry that LTV visas could complicate trips spanning several European countries, lengthen visa processing times and reduce visa availability. Russian citizens planning multi-country Schengen trips should keep track of the discussions before making firm bookings, as nothing has been decided yet.

What happens next depends on further EU Council talks and the expected EU executive proposal in early 2027, as well as whether any member state moves to halt tourist visas entirely.