Four Nations Lead in Schengen Visas for Russian Travelers

For Russian citizens planning a European trip, the path most often leads through Spain, France, Italy, or Greece. According to Daniil Sergeev, executive director of the VisaHod company, these four countries are currently issuing the highest number of Schengen visas to Russian applicants.

The overall approval rate for these visas has held steady compared to last year, Sergeev told RIA Novosti. The refusal rate remains consistent at approximately 8-9%. However, processing times and conditions vary significantly by destination.

Travelers applying to France or Spain face a three-week wait for a decision. Italy's process is considerably longer, currently taking about two months. Greece offers the fastest turnaround, with visas often processed within two weeks, but this speed comes with stricter upfront requirements. "Booking for Greece is much simpler," Sergeev noted, "but you already need purchased tickets and a hotel reservation. The chance of a refusal is also higher than with the others."

He explained that Greek visa denials frequently stem from documentation errors or insufficient proof of funds. In contrast, Spain and France are described as more lenient, rarely turning applicants away.

This data arrives as tour operators report a sharp decline in the issuance of multiple-entry Schengen visas to Russians, even while overall demand for European travel documents continues to rise actively.