EU Mulls Complete Prohibition on Russian Tourists

(MENAFN) The European Commission is weighing a comprehensive prohibition on Russian visitors entering the European Union as part of its 19th wave of sanctions directed at Moscow over the continuing conflict in Ukraine.

If endorsed, this step would represent the bloc’s most severe travel limitation on Russian nationals since the outbreak of the war, requiring unanimous consent from all 27 EU member countries.

According to officials cited by a news outlet, the initiative was introduced by Poland, Finland, and the Baltic nations, which have consistently pushed for tougher restrictions on Russian travelers.

However, states that significantly profit from Russian tourism—such as Italy, Spain, Greece, and France—alongside Hungary, known for its close ties with Moscow, could resist a total ban.

An EU insider explained that the Commission is examining two possible approaches. The first would involve providing non-binding recommendations encouraging member states to curb tourist visas following the surge of Russian arrivals over the summer.

The second would integrate a full tourist prohibition directly into the sanctions package, rendering it legally binding but politically more challenging to enforce.

Data from the Commission indicated that more than 500,000 Russians obtained visas to the Schengen zone in 2024, marking a sharp rise compared with the previous year despite the ongoing war.

The 19th sanctions bundle, initially expected on Wednesday but postponed, will expand on earlier actions targeting Russian financial institutions, energy exports, and individuals associated with the Kremlin.

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