Sweden leads coalition of 11 countries calling for tighter visa restrictions on Russian citizens

Sweden, together with ten other European countries, has launched a joint initiative urging the European Commission to impose stricter, more uniform restrictions on Schengen visas for Russian citizens amid Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth year.

The initiative, detailed in a formal letter dated 2 June, addressed to High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Magnus Brunner, highlights deep divisions within the EU over visa policy toward Russians. It calls for binding measures in the Visa Code, consistent application of guidelines, better monitoring, and enhanced efforts to identify and block former or active Russian combatants.

”Last year almost 500 000 Russian tourists were let into Europe, while Ukrainians were dying on the battlefield. This situation needs to be stopped.

That is why we, together with 10 other Member States, have put forward an initiative for new EU visa restrictions for Russian… pic.twitter.com/QFUL146pYa

— Sweden in EU (@SwedeninEU) June 4, 2026

The letter was backed by the following countries (EU members unless noted):  Sweden (leading the initiative),  Poland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Iceland (non-EU Schengen associate), Norway (non-EU Schengen associate).

These nations, many of which border Russia or have historically been wary of Moscow’s influence, emphasize the need for EU-wide solidarity. Eastern flank countries have already drastically curtailed visa issuance, while southern and western tourism-heavy states have been more permissive.

Visa numbers and trends since 2022

The EU suspended its Visa Facilitation Agreement with Russia in September 2022, making applications more expensive, slower, and subject to greater scrutiny. Pre-invasion (e.g., 2019), millions of Schengen visas were issued annually to Russians. Numbers plummeted post-2022 but have rebounded modestly.

Key 2025 Figures (from Schengen Barometer data):

– Over 670,000 Schengen visa applications submitted by Russian nationals (up ~8% from 2024).

– More than 620,000 visas issued (up 10.2%).

– 477,878 tourist visas alone (roughly 77% of total; up 8.4%). Many were multiple-entry, allowing repeated travel.

By country (2025 trends): 

– France was the clear leader, processing the highest volume and seeing a sharp ~23% increase in visas issued compared to 2024. It handled a significant share of applications.

– Italy and Spain followed closely; together with France, these three countries accounted for nearly three-quarters of all Russian visa applications processed. Greece also issued substantial numbers.

– In contrast, frontline states like Poland, the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), and others in the coalition issue very few or near-zero tourist visas to Russians, prioritizing security.

This geographic split persists despite the 2022 suspension and November 2025 EU decision to largely end multiple-entry visas for Russians (requiring new applications for each trip, except limited humanitarian cases).

Russian visitors have long been valued as big spenders in European destinations, with average per-trip expenditures exceeding those of many other nationalities (historically around $1,600–$2,000+ per person on upscale experiences). Although their numbers have dropped sharply since 2022, the loss of even several hundred thousand such tourists annually could translate into hundreds of millions of euros in foregone revenue for key sectors like hospitality, retail, and restaurants in southern EU countries, compounding challenges for an industry still recovering from pandemic disruptions.

Critics of further restrictions have argued that sanctions policies should not inflict greater economic damage on European businesses and workers than on the Russian regime itself.

 Security concerns and the letter’s demands

The letter warns that inconsistent policies enable “visa shopping,” increase security risks (including potential entry by Russian combatants), and undermine sanctions. It references the March 2026 European Council conclusions and an Estonian initiative for better screening.

Specific calls include:

– Introducing new binding restrictive measures.

– Uniform global application of strict guidelines to all Russian citizens.

– Regular aggregated statistics and monitoring.

– Greater role for EU agencies in identifying combatants.

Migration Minister Johan Forssell and counterparts highlighted nearly 500,000 Russian tourists entering Europe in 2025 while Ukraine endures missile and drone attacks.

Potential Impact on Russian Society

Stricter visa policies could have mixed effects on Russian society.

Economic and social pressure:

Reduced access to European travel might frustrate middle- and upper-class Russians who have relied on tourism as an escape or status symbol. With air links limited and overland routes scrutinized, alternatives (e.g., Turkey, Middle East, Asia) have grown, but Europe remains culturally desirable. This could amplify domestic discontent with the war’s isolation effects, though state media often frames restrictions as “Russophobia.”

Brain drain and elite disconnect:

Continued (or expanded) restrictions might encourage more emigration or deter returns among those already abroad, particularly liberals or those avoiding mobilisation. However, wealthy or connected Russians often find workarounds via third countries or dual citizenships.

Limited broader impact:

Tourism visas represent a small fraction of Russia’s population. The war economy, sanctions, and internal repression have far greater effects. Targeted measures (e.g., blacklisting combatants) could more directly pressure military personnel and their networks without broadly punishing civilians. Critics argue overly broad bans risk alienating potential Russian dissidents or future post-Putin reformers.

Proponents of tighter rules counter that allowing tourism normalizes aggression, funds the Russian economy indirectly, and poses hybrid threats. The debate underscores the EU’s challenge in balancing security, values, and internal unity.

The Commission is expected to review the initiative in coming weeks, with discussions possibly at upcoming Justice and Home Affairs Council meetings. Whether southern states will align remains uncertain, but the push reflects growing frustration over fragmented policy five years into the conflict.

Caption: Sweden’s Migration Minister Johan Forssell [@SwedeninEU on X]

• EU sanctions
• Russian invasion
• tourism

Updated: June 4, 2026 - 14:41