Latvia Renews Calls for Schengen Visa Ban on Russian Nationals Amid Security Concerns

Latvia has once again urged all European Union member states to suspend the issuance of Schengen visas to Russian passport holders, citing escalating security risks and geopolitical instability.

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže pointed to recent Schengen Barometer data revealing that EU countries issued 25% more Schengen visas to Russian citizens in 2024 compared to 2023. While Minister Braže did not issue a direct statement, her highlighting of the statistics suggests serious concern over the growing number of visas granted amid ongoing tensions with Russia.

Interior Minister: EU Must Acknowledge Hybrid Warfare Threat

Latvia’s Minister of the Interior, Rihards Kozlovskis, reinforced the urgency of a visa ban during the official presentation of the Schengen Barometer for 2024. He emphasized that the continued presence of Russian tourists in the Schengen Zone poses a threat to EU internal security.

“In the current circumstances, we cannot continue business as usual. We must admit that we are in a hybrid war,” said Kozlovskis. “This affects the daily operations of our security agencies, both at the borders and within Latvia. Denying visa access is not just a precaution—it is our moral duty.”

Over 541,800 Schengen Visas Granted to Russians in 2024

Recent statistics published by Moving2Europe show that Russian nationals submitted 606,596 applications for Schengen visas in 2024. Of these, 541,839 were approved, resulting in an average approval rate of 89.32%.

Five Schengen countries accounted for the majority of visas issued to Russians last year:

• Italy – 152,254 visas
• France – 123,890 visas
• Spain – 111,187 visas
• Greece – 59,703 visas
• Hungary – 23,382 visas

Conversely, the three Schengen countries with the lowest number of approved visas for Russian citizens in 2024 were:

• Norway – 49 visas
• Romania – 73 visas
• Czechia – 148 visas

Conclusion

Latvia continues to lead calls for a unified and strict approach toward Russian nationals' access to the Schengen Area. With the number of visas issued to Russians increasing despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions, Latvian officials argue that a cohesive EU-wide visa policy is essential to safeguard the bloc’s security and integrity.