EU Bans Sale of Tourist Trips to Russia—Travelers Must Go It Alone

European Union countries have imposed a full ban on selling tourist trips to Russia and promoting the country as a travel destination. Portuguese analyst and lawyer Alexandre Guerreiro confirmed the move in an interview with RIA Novosti, stating that no tour operator within the bloc can offer commercial services or market Russia to EU citizens.

The ban extends beyond sales. Guerreiro noted that companies are now prohibited from displaying posters or any advertising materials that promote travel to Russia. This follows a broader EU restriction on European organizations providing any services tied to tourism activities in the country. The measures effectively shut down the official tourism pipeline between the EU and Russia.

For EU residents who still want to visit Russia, the path forward is strictly DIY. They must plan and prepare their trips independently, without help from travel agencies or tour operators. The ban comes amid ongoing tensions, and earlier reports indicated that Germany's CDU/CSU bloc in the European Parliament had proposed a complete halt to issuing Schengen visas for Russian tourists.