Photo: Juha Metso / EPA
From January to March 2026, the number of multiple-entry Schengen visas issued to Russian citizens decreased by 90% compared to the same period last year, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) reported on Wednesday, citing market participants.
Some companies described the decline as much steeper, with one major tour operator estimating a drop of 99% in receipt of multiple-entry Schengen visas, while others report having received virtually none for their customers this year.
Instead, Russian tourists are now being issued double-entry visas in 50-60% of cases, primarily for cruise holidays, according to tour operators. This approach has been observed at consulates in Italy, France, Spain and Greece.
According to experts at the tour operator PAX, France, Italy and Hungary can grant a double-entry visa with extended validity for Russians with a good visa history and frequent travel to these countries. However, in most cases, Russian citizens are issued only single-entry visas valid for the duration of their trip.
In November last year, the European Commission tightened restrictions on issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas to Russian citizens. Under the new system, Russians must apply for a new visa every time they want to visit Europe, although exceptions have been made for journalists, human rights defenders, and relatives of people living in the EU.
