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Russian tourism union warns Schengen visa issuance may fall in 2027
En breve
The Russian Union of Tour Industry (RST) said the volume of Schengen visas issued to Russian tourists could decline in 2027, while adding that no new decisions changing visa issuance have been adopted. A review of visa requirements and visa policy toward Russian citizens is included in the draft conclusions of the European Council, which meets in Brussels on 15–16 October. RST expert Mikhail Abasov said a full halt to visa issuance is not expected, and that any tightening would likely affect timing, cost and paperwork.
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The Russian Union of Tour Industry said the volume of Schengen visas issued to Russian tourists could decline in 2027, according to reports by TASS, Interfax and Vedomosti. The industry body’s assessment was delivered by Mikhail Abasov, head of the analytical centre of APKAP and an expert of the RST. TASS, citing the union, said it was premature to speak of concrete new restrictions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Interfax and Vedomosti reported that a revision of visa requirements and visa policy toward Russian citizens is included in the draft conclusions of the European Council, whose meeting is scheduled for 15–16 October in Brussels. Both outlets stressed that this is a draft document. “Пока речь идет о проекте документа, новых решений, меняющих порядок выдачи шенгенских виз российским туристам, не принято”, Abasov said, adding that the RST does not expect a complete halt to visa issuance. [ 2 , 3 ]
According to Abasov, a possible tightening would primarily affect the timing, cost and procedure of applying for documents. He said European destinations would remain in the offers of Russian tour operators. “Ухода Европы из турпродукта мы не ожидаем. Скорее речь может идти об изменении сроков, стоимости и порядка оформления документов”, he said, adding that demand for European destinations persists and that the key question for operators is not the fact of the discussion but the concrete content of any measures. [ 2 ]
Interfax and Vedomosti cited European Commission data showing that Schengen consulates in Russia issued 618,800 visas in 2025, 14.2% more than a year earlier, while the share of multiple-entry visas fell from 41.3% to 28.4%. Italy, France and Spain accounted for more than 70% of all visas issued. Since November 2025, the possibility of obtaining multiple-entry Schengen visas for Russian citizens living and applying in Russia has been substantially restricted, with exceptions for certain categories of applicants, the two outlets reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
Vedomosti additionally recalled that on 24 September the Association of Tour Operators of Russia said the share of six-month multiple-entry Schengen visas issued to Russians in 2026 was less than 1–2% of the total, and that after the EU rule change in November 2025 multiple-entry visas had become an exception, with most tourists having to apply for a new visa before each trip. [ 3 ]
Por qué importa
If the European Council moves from a draft text to adopted measures, Russian travellers could face more complex, slower and more expensive Schengen procedures, though the documents stress no decision has been taken. For Russian tour operators, who still sell European destinations, the practical terms of any change matter more than the fact of the discussion.
Datos clave
- The Russian Union of Tour Industry said Schengen visa issuance to Russian tourists may shrink in 2027. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A revision of visa requirements and visa policy toward Russian citizens is included in the draft conclusions of the European Council, which meets in Brussels on 15–16 October. [ 2 , 3 ]
- No new decisions changing the procedure for issuing Schengen visas to Russians have been adopted; the text so far is a draft, according to RST expert Mikhail Abasov. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Abasov said a complete stop to visa issuance is not expected, and that any tightening would likely affect the timing, cost and procedure of paperwork. [ 2 , 3 ]
- According to the European Commission, Schengen consulates in Russia issued 618,800 visas in 2025, 14.2% more than a year earlier, while the share of multiple-entry visas fell from 41.3% to 28.4%. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Italy, France and Spain accounted for more than 70% of all visas issued, per European Commission data. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Since November 2025, the possibility of obtaining multiple-entry Schengen visas for Russian citizens living and applying in Russia has been substantially restricted, with exceptions for certain categories of applicants. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmado por varias fuentes
- The Russian Union of Tour Industry allowed for a possible reduction in Schengen visa issuance to Russian tourists in 2027. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A review of visa requirements and visa policy toward Russian citizens is in the draft conclusions of the European Council, scheduled to meet on 15–16 October in Brussels. [ 2 , 3 ]
- No new decisions changing the Schengen visa issuance procedure for Russians have been adopted. [ 2 , 3 ]
- According to the European Commission, 618,800 Schengen visas were issued in Russia in 2025, up 14.2% year on year, with the multiple-entry share falling from 41.3% to 28.4%. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Multiple-entry Schengen visas for Russian citizens applying in Russia have been substantially restricted since November 2025, with exceptions for certain applicant categories. [ 2 , 3 ]
Aún sin aclarar
- Whether the European Council will adopt the draft conclusions on visa policy at its 15–16 October meeting. Both business outlets describe the text only as a draft and say no new decisions have been taken; no outcome is stated.
- What specific measures, if any, would be introduced and how they would work in practice. RST expert Mikhail Abasov said it is important what decisions are taken and how they affect visa processing, but the documents give no detail on the content of the draft.
- Whether visa issuance will actually decline in 2027. The reduction is presented as a possibility raised by the tourism industry, not a confirmed outcome.
- The share of half-year multiple-entry Schengen visas issued to Russians in 2026, cited as under 1–2%. This figure appears in only one document and is attributed to a different association, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, on 24 September.
Qué dicen los medios locales
Cronología, hora local
- TASS reports that the Russian Union of Tour Industry allowed for a possible reduction in Schengen visa issuance to Russians in 2027. [ 1 ]
- Interfax reports the visa policy review is in the draft European Council conclusions, cites European Commission data for 2025 and quotes RST expert Mikhail Abasov. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti publishes a similar account, including Abasov’s remarks and the European Commission figures, and recalls the November 2025 restriction on multiple-entry visas. [ 3 ]