The EU Cannot Compel Member States to Ban Russian Tourist Visas
EU Migration Chief Clarifies No Authority to Enforce Visa Restrictions on Russians
European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner recently clarified that the EU cannot compel member states to deny entry to Russian citizens through visa restrictions. Speaking at a press conference alongside Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, Brunner acknowledged that visa issuance is the responsibility of individual member states, and the EU cannot impose a complete ban on such procedures. The bloc’s guidelines on restricting category-C visas for Russians are advisory in nature and cannot override national sovereignty in this matter.
Some EU Countries Lift Visa Ban for Russians While Others Remain Cautious
Although the EU has issued guidelines for member states calling for a total ban on category-C visas for Russian tourists, not all countries have followed suit. For example, Slovakia, along with Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland, had previously halted tourist visas for Russians in 2022. However, Slovakia resumed issuing Schengen visas earlier this year, after previously restricting them to Russians with family ties, work needs, or diplomatic status.
Rising Russian Visa Applications Raise Concerns in the EU
Current EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who was previously Estonia’s foreign minister, had advocated for a bloc-wide ban on Russian tourist visas in 2022. She wrote on X, “Stop issuing tourist visas to Russians. Visiting Europe is a privilege, not a human right.” However, the European Commission recently reported that Russian nationals filed more than 606,000 Schengen visa applications in 2024, an increase from about 520,000 in the previous year, with approximately 7.5% of these applications being rejected. While this rate of rejection is relatively low, it has raised concerns within the EU about the potential for increased Russian tourism in the region.
EU’s Diplomatic Balancing Act
This development highlights the delicate balance the EU must maintain in its diplomatic relations with Russia. While some member states are implementing visa restrictions as a symbol of resistance against Russian actions, others remain hesitant due to the economic and diplomatic implications. The EU’s approach reflects a broader trend of fragmented policies among its member states, as they navigate the complexities of international relations and domestic politics.