11 nations urge EU to tighten Russian tourist visas

A coalition of eleven European countries is urging the European Union to impose stricter, harmonized visa restrictions on Russian tourists, arguing that continued leisure travel undermines solidarity with Ukraine and poses security risks. The call came during a meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers in Luxembourg on Thursday.

Sweden, leading the initiative, was joined by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Poland. The group sent a joint letter earlier this week to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, pressing the European Commission to act.

Officials from the signatory nations expressed strong moral and strategic objections to the current situation. Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell stated it was insane to see hundreds of thousands of Russian tourists enjoying European holidays, shopping trips, and beaches while Ukrainians are dying on the battlefield. He said the situation needs to be stopped.

The letter cites data showing that 477,878 Schengen tourist visas were issued to Russian citizens in 2025, an increase from 440,558 in 2024. The signatories warn...