Russians Face European Travel Hurdles as EU Mulls Restrictions

Russians traveling to the European Union will have to pay more and withstand additional bureaucracy to obtain a short-term visa, according to a compromise solution aimed at allaying member states’ differences on how far restrictions should go.

The Czech government, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, will propose fully suspending visa-facilitation agreements with Russia and Belarus at a meeting of foreign ministers in Prague next week, according to Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky.

That move would fall short of a ban for tourists called for by members including Estonia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It would still allow Russians and Belarusians to apply for short-term entry. But it would increase processing times for visas, require more documentation and raise costs to 80 euros ($80) from 35 euros.

Germany is among governments that have pushed back on the kind of across-the-board visa restrictions backed by the Baltic states, who have complained about an influx of Russian tourists this summer since Moscow lifted Covid-19 restrictions in July. Lipavsky acknowledged this week that member states were divided on this issue.

“Receiving a European tourism visa is a privilege, not a human right,” Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told journalists in Tallinn on Thursday, saying that a ban would primarily hit Russia’s “elite” traveling from Moscow and St. Petersburg. “These are people who have a greater influence on the governing regime,” Kallas said.

 

 

Recent posts

See All
  • Hans Weber
  • November 1, 2024

Slovakia’s Interior Ministry Rectifies Mistake in Listing of Andrej Babiš as StB Agent

  • Hans Weber
  • November 1, 2024

Celebrating Republic Day of Kazakhstan and Examining the Relationship Between Kazakhstan and Czechia

  • Hans Weber
  • November 1, 2024

Address of Ambassador H.E. Egemen BAĞIŞ at the celebration of 101st Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye at the National Museum of the Czech Republic

Prague Forum Membership

Join us

Be part of building bridges and channels to engage all the international key voices and decision makers living in the Czech Republic.

Become a member

Prague Forum Membership

Join us

    Close