Kozlovskis referred to data from the European Commission, according to which in 2024 EU countries issued over 565,000 Schengen visas to the Russians (5.7 percent of the full number). Compared to 2023, this figure increased by 25 percent. At the same time 90% of visas were issued for tourism purposes.
The Minister recalled the acts of sabotage which took place in the territory of EU countries and the Kremlin's disinformation campaigns. — We must admit that We're at a hybrid war.. In Latvia, this affects the regular work of safety agencies both at the border and within the country. I so call on all associate States to take this threat seriously. Refusing to grant visas is our moral work – he argued.
The Schengen area comprises 25 of the 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. due to the war in Ukraine The European Union suspended the simplified visa government with Russia, extending the duration of the examination of applications and expanding the fee for formalities. The last time the cost of the Schengen visa was raised on 11 June 2024. It presently amounts to 90 euro (376 zł) for adults and 45 euro (188 zł) for children aged six to 12 years.
According to travel agencies, the Russians most frequently apply for a Schengen visa in the visa centres of France, Italy and Spain. The representations of Greece, Hungary, Portugal and Switzerland shall mainly issue single-entry visas for travel. In the years 2022-24, around 10% of Russians met with the refusal to issue a Schengen visa.
