Finland Calls for a Complete Ban on Tourist Visas for Russian Citizens in the European Union

Key Points

Finland demands a complete halt to Schengen tourist visas for Russians at the EU level.

Schengen countries issued about 500,000 tourist visas to Russians in 2025.

Helsinki prepared a five-point proposal package including sanctions against athletes and ex-military.

The European Commission plans to introduce new visa policy proposals regarding Russia.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen has launched a strong initiative at the European level, urging European Union member states to completely stop issuing tourist Schengen visas to citizens of the Russian Federation. Helsinki's stance is that such restrictions must remain in place until Moscow ends its military aggression against Ukraine. Official statements from the Finnish Foreign Ministry emphasize the unacceptability of a situation where Russians can travel freely across Europe and enjoy the benefits of the Western lifestyle while the bombing of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure continues.

Helsinki has consistently implemented a national policy of isolation regarding non-essential travel since 2022, but the Finnish leadership is now insisting on expanding these strict measures to the entire Schengen area. The main argument put forward by the Finnish side is alarming statistics: despite the geopolitical crisis, Schengen countries issued nearly 500,000 tourist visas to Russians in 2025, and this figure has been on an upward trend. Valtonen has already appealed to her EU counterparts to support a joint letter to the European Commission containing a comprehensive five-point package of entry restrictions.

Five Key Proposals from Helsinki to Brussels

The package of measures presented by Finland is comprehensive and affects various categories of citizens and areas of cooperation. In addition to a complete ban on tourist travel, the document provides for mandatory sanctions on issuing entry documents to individuals from the inner circle of the Russian leadership, as well as representatives of organizations under European sanctions. Special attention is paid to the sports sector: Helsinki proposes to close entry to Russian athletes and team members with direct ties to Russian state structures. It also proposes to close loopholes for former military personnel who participated in combat operations and to introduce a flexible mechanism for amending the EU Visa Code to respond swiftly to security threats.

Contradictory Data

While official Helsinki and several Eastern European countries insist on maximum tightening of the visa regime due to national security concerns and the risks of potential sabotage, disagreements exist within the expert community and among some EU members regarding the effectiveness of total bans. Critics of pan-European sanctions point out that restricting travel for ordinary citizens could cut off avenues for independent activists, journalists, and individuals seeking to leave Russia for political reasons. Nevertheless, the European Commission has already announced its intention to present new initiatives to strengthen visa policy regarding states posing a security threat, confirming the seriousness of the discussion at the Brussels level.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does Finland demand a ban on tourist visas for Russians?

Helsinki considers it wrong for Russian citizens to travel in Europe while the war in Ukraine continues, citing security risks and the high number of issued visas.

How many tourist visas were issued to Russians in 2025?

According to the Finnish Foreign Ministry, Schengen area countries issued nearly 500,000 tourist visas to Russian citizens in 2025.

What other restrictions does Finland propose?

Finland proposes entry bans for the Russian leadership's inner circle, sanctioned individuals, state-linked athletes, former military personnel, and implementing a rapid-response mechanism in the EU Visa Code.