German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese has announced that Germany intends to further reduce the issuance of tourist visas to citizens of the Russian Federation. During a press conference in Berlin on September 2, 2026, Giese stated that travel for the purpose of tourism "cannot continue in the same format" due to the current security situation and the absence of "normality" in bilateral relations. The move follows recent security incidents, specifically an attempted sabotage involving explosive drones at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August, which German authorities have officially attributed to Russian operatives.
Security Measures and Consular Changes
The German government plans to implement stricter entry controls to ensure that visas are only granted to individuals who do not pose a potential threat. While specific criteria for these security screenings have not been disclosed to prevent the circumvention of measures, the federal authorities emphasized that the goal is to minimize security risks for the Schengen Area. Alongside the visa restrictions, Germany has ordered the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn by September 18, 2026, and mandated the departure of staff from the "Russian House" in Berlin within seven days.
- Tourist visa numbers to Germany have already decreased significantly, with only 27,000 short-term visas issued in 2024 compared to 330,000 in 2019.
- The German Foreign Ministry and the Federal Ministry of the Interior are jointly managing the new entry protocols.
- The measures respond to a suspected sabotage attempt on August 4 against a Ukrainian An-124 cargo aircraft at a German logistical hub.
EU-Wide Discussions on Travel Bans
The European Union is preparing for a broader discussion on the matter, scheduled for October 15-16, 2026. Currently, there is a lack of full consensus among member states regarding a total ban on tourist visas for Russians.
There was broad support to move with an EU visa entry ban for Russian ex-combatants and tougher visa restrictions for Russian tourists.
This statement by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas reflects the growing support for restrictions among the Baltic states, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and Poland. Conversely, nations like Italy, Spain, and France—which together accounted for a large portion of the 620,000 Schengen visas issued to Russians in 2025—have previously shown more caution toward a complete prohibition of entry.
The upcoming October sessions will focus on reconciling these positions and evaluating the proposed ban on Russian former combatants from entering the bloc. For travelers, these developments indicate a trend toward more rigorous application processes and potential increases in rejection rates across various European jurisdictions in the coming months.