Finland, along with countries like Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Latvia, and Estonia, has seen a drastic 90% reduction in multiple-entry Schengen visa issuances to Russian citizens during January to March 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.nashaniva.comwww.lrt.lt Tour operators in Russia reported declines as steep as 99% for these visas, attributing the drop to tightened policies following the European Commission's November 2025 announcement suspending multiple-entry options for Russians, requiring fresh applications per trip. This shift reflects broader security measures amid ongoing tensions from Russia's war in Ukraine.

Despite the visa slump, demand for single-entry Schengen visas has risen, with some Russian tour operators noting 20-25% more applications overall and doubles in requests for destinations like Spain and France. Countries such as Italy, France, Spain, and Hungary have issued visas more liberally—Italy alone granted 152,254 in 2024, up nearly 19,000 from 2023—while Baltic and Nordic states maintain strict restrictions. Eight EU leaders, including those from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, and Poland, recently urged a full Schengen entry ban for Russian servicemen involved in Ukraine, citing risks from over 180,000 prison-recruited fighters.www.uawire.org

The policy changes coincide with EU border enhancements like the Entry/Exit System, operational since October 2025, which tracks non-EU travelers' stays digitally to curb overstays and fraud.etias.com As visa numbers for Russians rebound slightly from post-2022 lows—541,000 in 2024 versus 4 million in 2019—leaders emphasize using all tools to address security threats from Russian military personnel. These developments signal Europe's sustained pressure on Moscow amid the protracted conflict.