{
  "id": 14773096,
  "title": "Getting a Schengen visa is already hard for Russians. Germany reportedly wants to limit where they can go on one.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/getting-a-schengen-visa-is-already-hard-for-russians-germany",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T19:40:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Meduza (English)",
    "slug": "meduza-english",
    "url": "https://meduza.io/en/cards/getting-a-schengen-visa-is-already-hard-for-russians-germany-reportedly-wants-to-limit-where-they-can-go-on-one"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 14, EU officials discussed new visa restrictions for Russians, with Germany proposing limited territorial validity (LTV) visas specifically for \"nonessential\" travel, such as tourism. These visas would allow holders to visit only one or several countries within the Schengen zone, rather than the entire zone. Germany brought this proposal to the Council of the EU’s visa policy working group in Brussels. However, the idea has drawn criticism, notably from Ireland. The proposal emerges amid growing tensions, with the European Commission suggesting visa restrictions for citizens in countries engaged in \"hostile activities against the EU\" in January 2026. Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo even suggested a complete halt to issuing tourist visas to Russians. LTV visas are not new; Russian citizens have been receiving them for years, with 12,000 issued in 2025 alone. These visas are most often given to holders of Russia’s five-year international passports, as 15 Schengen countries have stopped recognizing nonbiometric passports. Supporters of the proposal argue it is aimed at enhancing security, but critics, like Anastasia Burakova, question its effectiveness, stating that it would not significantly improve security and might only serve to reassure countries under greater pressure. If a Russian traveler obtains an LTV visa, they would face consequences for visiting unlisted countries, and while border checks between EU countries are generally absent, they could be reintroduced in certain scenarios. However, experts believe LTV visas could be issued widely without extensive infrastructure changes, and it remains unclear when, where, and why border guards might enforce these rules. Stricter visa criteria could also affect people seeking to leave Russia for humanitarian reasons.",
  "summary": "On October 14, EU officials discussed new visa restrictions for Russians. At a meeting in Brussels, the Council of the EU’s visa policy working group considered issuing Russian citizens a particular type of visa for “nonessential” travel, meaning tourism. These limited territorial validity (LTV) visas allow holders to visit only one or several countries, rather than the entire Schengen zone.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}