Brussels has recorded an increase in the issuance of Schengen visas to Russians

In 2025, Russian tourists received 14% more approvals for visa applications to the Schengen area than a year earlier. This follows from the documents published on the website of the European Commission (EC).

Compared to 2024, the number of applications submitted in 2025 increased by 12% — it was 606.8 thousand, and it became 679 thousand. The number of approved applications increased by 14.2% — there were 541.8 approvals in 2024, against 618.8 thousand in 2025. The bounce rate was 6.4%, which is 1.1% less than a year earlier.

Last year, consulates of the Schengen countries received almost 12 million applications from third-country nationals for obtaining Schengen visas. Of these, 10 million were approved. Russia ranked fourth in the list of leaders in the number of applications submitted, after China, Turkey and India.

Borderline disorder: The EU may ban the entry of relatives of ITS members

The restrictions threaten to affect up to 2 million people - most likely, only individual countries will introduce them.

On November 7, 2025, the European Commission (EC) announced a ban on issuing new multiple-entry visas to Russians. Now, to visit the EU, Russian citizens will have to apply to the visa application center every time. Meanwhile, the French Embassy promised to continue issuing visas to Russians.

On November 10, the press service of the Permanent Mission of Russia to the EU stated that the European Union's decision to restrict the issuance of visas was discriminatory. It was noted that the EU's actions contradict earlier statements stating that the restrictions would not affect ordinary citizens.