EU eyeing curbs on tourism to Russia – EUobserver
The proposed new EU sanctions package against Russia would target tourism by banning services linked to travel to the country, EUobserver reported on Thursday, citing sources. No new hurdles are planned for Russian tourists visiting the EU, the article said.
The draft seen by the outlet would prohibit the provision of services “directly related to tourism activities in Russia.” The aim of the restrictions is said to be aimed at “reduc[ing] the revenues that Russia derives from such services and to deter the promotion of non-essential travel and leisure activities to Russia.”
However, unnamed diplomats told the outlet that “Russian tourists can keep coming to the EU” despite earlier reported discussions on the matter.
Nordic and Baltic states, the Czech Republic, and Poland had pressed for tighter restrictions on Russian tourists on security and boycott grounds, EUobserver reported, adding that the EU Commission opted for a different policy.
The Commission also plans a separate, non-binding “strategy” on Russian tourists coming to the EU by year-end, an unnamed EU diplomat told the outlet.
EU ambassadors are due to discuss the 19th sanctions package in Brussels on Friday, which will require unanimous approval by all 27 member states. EU officials have said the new sanctions would primarily target Russia’s financial, energy, and shipping sectors.
Earlier this month, Greek outlet ProNews reported that Greece, Italy, Spain, France, and Hungary opposed restrictions on Russian tourists. In 2024, Schengen countries approved about 552,000 visas to Russians, with Italy, France, and Spain among the biggest issuers.
Entries from EU states to Russia totaled about 469,000 in 2024, down 16% from the previous year. In the first quarter of 2025, more than 21,000 EU citizens crossed the Russian border as tourists, according to statistics cited by RIA.
Moscow has repeatedly said it has no plans to restrict EU arrivals. “We believe that human contacts, tourism, business, and humanitarian ties must be maintained. Our country seeks to build bridges between people despite efforts within the EU to tear them down,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
