Renew Europe urges EU to tighten Schengen visa rules for Russians ahead of summer holidays
The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament today backed a push by EU member states to restrict Schengen visa access for Russian travellers before the summer holidays, as justice and home affairs ministers meet to discuss the proposal.
The initiative follows repeated calls by the European Parliament for stricter controls on Russian and Belarusian citizens entering the European Union, including enhanced security screenings during the Schengen visa application process. Parliament has also called for applicants to provide military service records, while maintaining humanitarian exemptions for dissidents, human rights defenders and those fleeing persecution.
Malik Azmani MEP, member if the Civil Liberties Committee, said:
"At a time when Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine and intensifies hybrid threats against Europe by destabilizing our democracies, we cannot afford a fragmented approach to Schengen visas. A common European framework is needed to strengthen our security, close existing loopholes, and ensure that Russians cannot exploit our openness while Europe stands united in defence of its values and security. European security and safety must come first."
Malik AzmaniRenew Europe MEP, Netherlands, Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie
Petras Auštrevičius MEP, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Renew Europe’s standing rapporteur on Russia and Belarus, said:
"In light of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, it would be both politically and humanitarily unjustifiable to continue with business-as-usual tourism. We must send a strong message to the Russian people, urging them to take action to prevent their government from killing innocent people in Ukraine. Those responsible for the aggression and crimes must know that we are aware of their actions, that they are not welcome in the EU, and that justice will be served."
Petras AuštrevičiusRenew Europe MEP, Lithuania, Liberalų Sąjūdis
According to the 2026 Schengen Barometer, Russian visa applications increased by 8 per cent in 2025, with 623,451 visas issued across the Schengen area.
Renew Europe warned that current visa practices remain too fragmented and create potential security risks at a time when Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine and intensifies hybrid attacks against European democracies.
The group called on the European Commission to strengthen the implementation of existing visa rules, harmonise practices across Schengen states, and introduce targeted restrictions on individuals linked to the Russian regime, military structures, intelligence services or state-sponsored propaganda activities.
Renew Europe also urged the Justice and Home Affairs Council to move swiftly towards a common European approach and ensure that any new measures are in place before the peak summer travel season.