EUobserver stated that the EU has no plans for restrictions for tourists from the Russian Federation

The European Union (EU) has no plans to impose new restrictions on Russian tourists, despite the imposition of sanctions affecting this sector. This was announced on September 25 by the EUobserver portal, citing sources in diplomatic circles.

"According to diplomats, Russian tourists can continue to come to the EU, despite the new sanctions measures against this sector," the publication says.

According to the portal, 541 thousand Russians visited Europe in 2023, which is slightly more than the previous year, but significantly less than before the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, EU countries such as Poland and the Baltic states have expressed a desire to tighten restrictions on Russian citizens, ostensibly for security reasons.

Instead of introducing new bans, the EU intends to prepare a less stringent "strategy" for Russian tourists, which will only apply to non-mandatory and less stringent measures, according to EUobserver. One of the proposals under discussion is the introduction of a tourist tax for Russians, which, according to experts, may be aimed at supporting Ukraine.

Path denied: EU considers introducing quotas on visas for Russians

In which countries will it become more difficult for Russian citizens to obtain entry permits

On September 14, Germany complicated the criteria for issuing both Schengen and national visas to Russian citizens as part of the new, 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions. It clarifies that Russian applicants who do not have compelling reasons to travel should be prepared for longer and more thorough application review procedures.

On September 15, it was reported that some EU countries advocate a complete ban on Russian tourists entering the bloc. At the same time, countries counting on the influx of Russian tourists during the holiday season, including Hungary, Greece, Italy, Spain and France, are "relatively liberal in issuing visas."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on September 18 that Russia would not restrict the entry of EU citizens and had no plans to close its borders to them. She added that Russia is striving to strengthen ties between people, despite the EU's efforts to destroy these "bridges." The diplomat also criticized the ideas within the European Union about the introduction of visa restrictions, calling them an example of hypocrisy.

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