Sunday, July 20, 2025
As high-intensity sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine remain a contested issue for the European Union (EU), a rift is opening between the EU’s western and southern members and those on its eastern fringe. Nations including France, Italy and Spain have significantly increased the amount of tourist visas they grant Russian citizens, leading to fears over the EU’s political unity, and the strength of the EU sanctions regime.
The EU’s stance on Russian tourism is generating considerable friction, in particular between member states that are exposed to overt military threats from Russia and those which suffer less from the conflict being waged against the former. People from other countries include Finland, Poland and the Baltic states, have also closed borders, Russian tourist visas were suspended and due to security reasons. These countries say enabling in additional Russian tourists could threaten the safety of the region, and interfere with the ability of Russian intelligence to leverage such flows for strategic reasons. Alternatively, Western and Southern European countries, such as France, Italy, and Spain, have greeted an influx of Russian tourists, because, as the imperative commands, this influx means good business.
This divergence within the EU on the issue of Russian tourism has led to increasing criticism. According to a report by EU Observer, the number of new Schengen visas issued to Russians in 2024 rose by 9% compared to the previous year, totaling 552,630. The Schengen visa, which grants access to 29 European countries under the Schengen Agreement, enables Russian nationals to travel freely within most of Europe.
Tourist Visa Trends in France, Italy, and Spain
In particular, countries like Italy issued over 152,000 tourist visas to Russian nationals in 2024, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. France and Spain also reported a notable rise in the number of visas granted to Russian tourists. Greece, another major tourist destination, welcomed 59,703 Russian nationals under the same scheme. While the EU has imposed strict sanctions on Russia’s economy, the fact that affluent Russian tourists continue to travel across Europe highlights a glaring inconsistency between economic policies and tourism practices.
The increase in Russian tourists is partly explained by the current state of the Russian ruble, which has seen a sharp devaluation due to Western sanctions. With the ruble weakening against the U.S. dollar, wealthier Russians are finding it advantageous to travel abroad and invest in property in more stable economies, often bypassing the restrictions on direct flights from Russia by transiting through hubs like Istanbul or Dubai. A NATO official quoted by EU Observer noted that these tourists are often wealthier than regular European travelers, frequently opting for luxury accommodations and sometimes purchasing properties in expensive European resorts as a form of asset diversification.
EU Member States and Their Justifications
The governments of France, Italy, and Spain have defended their actions, citing cultural exchanges and the importance of human interaction in promoting dialogue and understanding among nations. France’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement emphasizing that distinguishing between the Russian government and the people was essential in fostering peaceful relations. “Interactions between people and cultural exchanges enhance understanding among nations and promote dialogue,” the ministry stated on its official website.
In contrast, frontline EU countries, such as Poland, Estonia, and the Czech Republic, argue that allowing Russian tourists to travel freely undermines the EU’s collective security and sanctions efforts. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, speaking on behalf of the government, warned that Russian intelligence agencies could use unrestricted tourism flows to gather information.
The debate comes against the backdrop of EU guidelines issued in 2022 regarding Russian tourist visas. While these guidelines recommended limiting visa issuance to Russian nationals, they were not legally binding, making them difficult to enforce effectively. This loophole has led to increasing calls for a revision of the guidelines to ensure more uniform enforcement across the EU. However, key member states, particularly those heavily reliant on tourism, are likely to resist any binding changes, given their economic interests.
The Growing EU Divide
The situation lays bare an increasingly stark split in the EU between states that have put economic interests first, and others that have been determined to present a united front against Russia. And the EU’s political and moral unity is being tested as frustration grows about the efficacy of sanctions and the policy split. Some in the EU have warned that disunity within the bloc on matters such as Russian tourism would weaken the EU and make it more difficult for the EU to project a united front on the world stage.
“It’s every country acting on its own in its own interests and the culture of unity within the EU is not existing,” an unnamed EU official told the EU Observer, referring to the divisions between different member states. As the argument goes on, the EU must thread the needle between the economic benefits and the imperative of having a common position on its politics and security toward Russia.
