The Czech government has joined Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Iceland in calling on the European Commission to impose much tougher conditions on issuing Schengen tourist visas to Russian citizens. In a joint letter sent on 3 June 2026, the eleven countries argue that uneven application of the EU’s existing guidance is undermining sanctions linked to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
They point out that nearly half-a-million Schengen visas were granted to Russian nationals in 2025, with a large share being multiple-entry permits that allow unrestricted leisure travel across the bloc.
For travellers and organisations now scrambling to understand these shifting rules, VisaHQ can offer timely, practical help. Through its dedicated Czech Republic portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/), the service monitors Schengen policy updates, supplies tailored document checklists and appointment-booking support, and reviews applications before submission—reducing the risk of refusals as requirements become more stringent.
![Czechia and 10 Other States Urge EU to Tighten Tourist Visas for Russians]()
According to Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar, who co-signed the letter on behalf of Prague, the current patchwork of national rules is creating “competitive distortions” between member states that rely on Russian holidaymakers and those that have largely closed their doors. The ministers argue that a unified, restrictive stance is essential to maintain pressure on the Kremlin while the war in Ukraine continues. They also warn that images of “Russian tourists enjoying European beaches” risk weakening public support for Kyiv.
The signatories want Brussels to review whether short-stay visas for non-humanitarian purposes should be limited to single-entry documents, with stricter security screening and a higher evidentiary bar for demonstrating genuine travel intent. They also ask the Commission to publish transparent statistics so that member states can monitor each other’s compliance. Such measures, they say, would prevent so-called “visa shopping”, where applicants file in more lenient countries and then move freely throughout Schengen.
For multinational companies, the proposal could complicate business travel for Russian staff and clients, as corporate visitor invitations have sometimes been processed under the tourist category since the 2022 suspension of the EU–Russia visa-facilitation agreement. Corporate mobility managers should prepare for longer lead-times, additional documentation (such as detailed itineraries and proof of sufficient funds) and a likely shift of appointments to EU missions in Moscow, St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. Employers with operations in Russia may also need to expand remote-work options or rely more heavily on third-country hubs such as Istanbul or Belgrade.
The Commission has not yet responded publicly, but migration commissioner Magnus Brunner recently stated that internal border controls cannot replace a “robust common external policy”. If Brussels follows the Czech-led initiative, new visa restrictions could be tabled before the peak summer season, adding another layer of complexity for travel-risk teams already grappling with the EU’s delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) and upcoming ETIAS travel authorisation.
They point out that nearly half-a-million Schengen visas were granted to Russian nationals in 2025, with a large share being multiple-entry permits that allow unrestricted leisure travel across the bloc.
For travellers and organisations now scrambling to understand these shifting rules, VisaHQ can offer timely, practical help. Through its dedicated Czech Republic portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/), the service monitors Schengen policy updates, supplies tailored document checklists and appointment-booking support, and reviews applications before submission—reducing the risk of refusals as requirements become more stringent.
According to Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar, who co-signed the letter on behalf of Prague, the current patchwork of national rules is creating “competitive distortions” between member states that rely on Russian holidaymakers and those that have largely closed their doors. The ministers argue that a unified, restrictive stance is essential to maintain pressure on the Kremlin while the war in Ukraine continues. They also warn that images of “Russian tourists enjoying European beaches” risk weakening public support for Kyiv.
The signatories want Brussels to review whether short-stay visas for non-humanitarian purposes should be limited to single-entry documents, with stricter security screening and a higher evidentiary bar for demonstrating genuine travel intent. They also ask the Commission to publish transparent statistics so that member states can monitor each other’s compliance. Such measures, they say, would prevent so-called “visa shopping”, where applicants file in more lenient countries and then move freely throughout Schengen.
For multinational companies, the proposal could complicate business travel for Russian staff and clients, as corporate visitor invitations have sometimes been processed under the tourist category since the 2022 suspension of the EU–Russia visa-facilitation agreement. Corporate mobility managers should prepare for longer lead-times, additional documentation (such as detailed itineraries and proof of sufficient funds) and a likely shift of appointments to EU missions in Moscow, St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. Employers with operations in Russia may also need to expand remote-work options or rely more heavily on third-country hubs such as Istanbul or Belgrade.
The Commission has not yet responded publicly, but migration commissioner Magnus Brunner recently stated that internal border controls cannot replace a “robust common external policy”. If Brussels follows the Czech-led initiative, new visa restrictions could be tabled before the peak summer season, adding another layer of complexity for travel-risk teams already grappling with the EU’s delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) and upcoming ETIAS travel authorisation.
