Published: 13.10.2026
Estonia joined Finland’s initiative calling on the EU to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens and tighten visa policy. According to the source, Estonia itself has maintained restrictions since April 2022 on issuing both short-stay C visas and long-stay D visas to citizens of Russia and Belarus.
The sources describe a new political call rather than an EU-wide ban that has automatically entered into force. For people planning to relocate from Russia or Belarus, the practical issue is Estonia’s existing restriction on C and D visas, while any further tightening depends on decisions by the EU and individual states. Tourist travel and relocation on a D visa may be affected differently depending on the basis for entry. Russian and Belarusian citizens should factor these restrictions into their visa planning and not treat the initiative itself as a new EU law.