European Union: Tougher Schengen Visa Rules for Russian Nationals in Effect
December 16, 2025
The European Union has changed Schengen Area visa-issuance rules so that certain Russian nationals can only be eligible for single-entry Schengen visas. Significant caveats include that:
-
- This rule only applies to Russian nationals residing in Russia, and only when they submit their short-stay visa application at a Schengen Area Member State consulate in Russia.
- Multiple-entry visas may still be issued for the close family members of either EU nationals or Russian nationals residing in the European Union; as well as transport workers (for instance, seafarers, truck/bus drivers and train crew).
- EU Member States may still grant multiple-entry visas in specific individual cases (for instance, dissidents, journalists or human rights defenders).
- Russian nationals who also hold an EU citizenship are not affected by these rules, as they do not need Schengen C entry visas.
These rules came into effect amid a broader package of punitive measures levelled by the European Union against Russia.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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