The European Commission has defended its visa policy towards Russian nationals, arguing that the number of Schengen visas issued has dropped dramatically since the start of the war in Ukraine, despite a reported increase in tourist visas in 2025. In a written answer on 25 June 2026, Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner, on behalf of the Commission, stressed that the EU has taken unprecedented steps to restrict travel from Russia, including suspending the Visa Facilitation Agreement in September 2022 and tightening rules on multiple-entry visas.
The answer comes in response to a parliamentary question from Latvian MEP Inese Vaidere (EPP), who raised concerns that the number of Schengen visas issued to Russian nationals rose in 2025, with France, Italy and Spain issuing the majority. Vaidere argued that tourist visas undermine EU solidarity with Ukraine and could boost public support in Russia for the war. She asked whether the Commission supports further EU-wide restrictions.
Brunner countered that Schengen visas issued to Russians fell from 4 million in 2019 to just over 600,000 in 2025, a drop of about 85%. He highlighted a Commission implementing decision of 6 November 2025 that restricted multiple-entry visas, which has led to a significant drop in such visas. The Commission, together with the Local Schengen Cooperation in Moscow, continues to monitor implementation, while respecting Member States' competence for issuing short-stay visas. Brunner added that the Commission is exploring all available tools to further restrict short-stay visas due to security risks.
The answer signals that the Commission sees the current measures as effective but remains open to further restrictions. It does not propose new concrete targets or deadlines, instead emphasising ongoing monitoring and a willingness to use existing competences. The response may reassure critics like Vaidere that the Commission is vigilant, but it stops short of endorsing an outright ban on tourist visas, which some Member States and MEPs have called for.