Headlines

EU toughens visa rules for Russians

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on November 7, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
EU toughens visa rules for Russians
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union has adopted stricter visa rules for Russian nationals in light of what it calls the "weaponisation of migration, acts of sabotage and potential misuse of visas".

EU Implements Stricter Visa Regulations for Russian Citizens

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union has adopted stricter visa rules for Russian nationals in light of what it calls the "weaponisation of migration, acts of sabotage and potential misuse of visas".

Russian nationals will no longer be eligible for multiple-entry visas and must apply for a new visa each time they travel to the EU, a statement from the European Commission read. It said the aim was to protect public policy and security.

There will be limited exceptions for dissidents, independent journalists and human rights defenders.

"Starting a war and expecting to move freely in Europe is hard to justify," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on X.

"The EU is tightening visa rules for Russian nationals amid continued drone disruptions and sabotage on European soil. Travelling to the EU is a privilege, not a given."

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

Key Takeaways

  • The EU has tightened visa rules for Russian citizens.
  • Russian nationals must apply for a new visa each time they travel.
  • Multiple-entry visas for Russians are no longer available.
  • Exceptions are made for dissidents, journalists, and human rights defenders.
  • The changes aim to protect EU public policy and security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a visa?
A visa is an official document that allows a person to enter, stay, or leave a country for a specific purpose and duration.
What are human rights defenders?
Human rights defenders are individuals or groups who advocate for the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
What is a multiple-entry visa?
A multiple-entry visa allows the holder to enter and exit a country multiple times within the validity period of the visa.

Tags

Related Articles

More from Headlines

Explore more articles in the Headlines category