A wave of concern swept through Russian travel circles on Wednesday morning, following rumors that Italy-issued Schengen visas were blocking entry to seven other European countries for Russian citizens. However, this alarming information was swiftly refuted by midday. Despite the debunking, many Russian tourists, accustomed to unexpected travel hurdles, suspected there was some truth behind the rumors. This article aims to trace the origin of this peculiar claim and provide clarity.
The initial reports surfaced in specialized European visa chat groups early Wednesday. Russians who had received an Italian Schengen visa reportedly noticed an unusual mark indicating a ban on entry, even in transit, to the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Iceland, Latvia, and Lithuania. Visa agents initially expressed surprise, stating they had never encountered such an issue before, and speculated that these might be `new realities amid the current geopolitical situation.`
However, when this news reached Italian consular staff, their response was firm and clear: Italy has not imposed, nor does it have the right to impose, restrictions on travel to third countries for Russian citizens to whom it has issued a visa. `From the perspective of visa regulations, this is nonsense and absurd,` was the direct quote from an official involved in visa issuance. Yet, the chat forum that sparked the online stir included a photo genuinely listing these seven European countries. What, then, is the purpose of these countries being mentioned on an Italian visa stamp?
Alexei, a Russian visa intermediary, suggested: `Some EU countries have restrictions on old-style passports. The photo, presumably, shows either a child`s passport or an old, five-year passport without biometric data. There can be no other reasons.`
Meanwhile, thematic online communities escalated the panic with stories claiming that such markings on a Schengen visa would automatically block Russian citizens from checking in for flights to the `prohibited` seven countries. They also suggested that special controllers would be deployed on trains to verify visas and any associated bans. Intriguingly, even those spreading the panic acknowledged that these restrictions were not present on the stamps of all Russians who received an Italian Schengen visa on the same day and at the same location.
Artur Muradyan, Vice President of ATOR (Association of Tour Operators of Russia), thoroughly investigated the matter and provided a comprehensive assessment: `This is the second false alarm, following the news about the `disguised Czech Schengen` (allegedly used to mask Russian tourists to maintain revenue). Stories about the Italian consulate issuing visas with notes preventing Russians from visiting certain other Schengen countries appeared a year ago too, but were proven to be fabrications or incorrectly presented information. The same applies this time. The specified countries (Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania) have not imposed restrictions on Russian citizens holding valid biometric passports. The existing prohibitions apply exclusively to citizens traveling with old-style passports (with a five-year validity period). This is not new information. For instance, Latvia stopped recognizing them from July 15, 2025, and also requires a special online application. France imposed similar rules from April 14, 2025. All restrictions in these seven EU countries apply only to five-year, old-style foreign passports, as officially stated in the `Recognized Travel Documents` section on the European Council website. In simpler terms, you might indeed be denied entry to a Schengen country even with a valid visa. But this would be because the country does not accept your specific passport, not due to any markings on the visa itself.`
