EU Weighs Complete Ban on Russian Tourists
(MENAFN) The European Commission is weighing a complete ban on Russian tourists entering the EU as part of its upcoming 19th sanctions package aimed at punishing Moscow for its ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
Should this measure pass, it would represent the EU’s harshest travel restriction on Russian citizens since the conflict began and would require unanimous approval from all 27 member states.
Sources told media that the proposal, spearheaded by Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states, has gained momentum, with these countries long calling for more stringent controls on Russian visitors.
However, nations benefiting from Russian tourism—such as Italy, Spain, Greece, and France—along with Hungary, a known ally of Moscow, are expected to oppose the full ban.
An EU official revealed that the Commission is currently exploring two potential routes. One would provide non-binding guidance to member states, urging them to tighten tourist visa restrictions following a surge in Russian visitors this summer. The second option would incorporate a full tourist ban into the sanctions package, making it legally enforceable, but also significantly harder to implement politically.
Recent data from the Commission shows that more than 500,000 Russians received Schengen area visas in 2024, a substantial rise from the previous year, despite the ongoing war.
The 19th sanctions package, originally scheduled for release on Wednesday but delayed, is set to extend existing penalties targeting Russian banks, energy exports, and individuals with ties to the Kremlin.
In a related development, some EU countries, including the Czech Republic and Latvia, are pushing for further restrictions on Russian diplomatic travel within the Schengen zone, citing security risks following the expulsion of Russian agents posing as diplomats in recent years.
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