European Commission Reports New Schengen Restrictions on Russian Non-Biometric Passports

• The European Commission updated its list of third-country travel documents recognized by Schengen member states for visa issuance and border crossing purposes.  

What Has Changed? 

On Aug. 31, 2026, the European Commission released an updated list of third-country travel documents recognized by Schengen member states for visa issuance and border crossing purposes. The update confirms that several Schengen countries are continuing to phase out recognition of Russian non-biometric passports, although restrictions and implementation dates vary across the Schengen Area. 

Schengen Countries Continue Restricting Russian Non-Biometric Passports 

 Schengen countries have outlined the following phase-out of Russian non-biometric passports, with the following implementation timeline: 

• Denmark: Non-biometric ordinary passports are no longer recognized. Recognition of non-biometric diplomatic and service passports ended on Aug. 1, 2026. 
• Germany: Non-biometric ordinary passports are no longer recognized as of Jan. 1, 2026, subject to limited exceptions for certain existing residence permit holders. Recognition of non-biometric diplomatic and service passports ended on Sept. 1, 2026. 
• Estonia: Non-biometric ordinary passports have not been recognized since March 31, 2025. Recognition of diplomatic and service passports ended on Sept. 1, 2026. 
• Latvia: Non-biometric ordinary passports are no longer recognized. Recognition of diplomatic and service passports ended on Sept. 1, 2026. 
• Lithuania: Non-biometric ordinary passports are no longer recognized. Recognition of diplomatic and service passports will end on Dec. 1, 2026. 
• Poland: Recognition of non-biometric diplomatic and service passports ended on Jan. 1, 2026, followed by ordinary passports on April 1, 2026. 
• Romania: Recognition of all non-biometric Russian passport types ended on Jan. 1, 2026, subject to a limited exemption for certain diplomatic personnel and family members through March 31, 2026. 
• Finland: Recognition of all non-biometric Russian passports ended on June 1, 2026, with transition provisions through Dec. 31, 2026 for certain visa and residence permit holders, as well as limited exceptions for minors. 
• Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg): Recognition of all non-biometric Russian passports will end on Oct. 1, 2026. 
• Sweden: Recognition of non-biometric ordinary passports will end on Oct. 1, 2026, with transition measures through Dec. 31, 2026 for certain visa and residence permit holders. Recognition of diplomatic and service passports will end on Jan. 1, 2027. 
• Czechia: Non-biometric passports are generally not recognized, subject to limited exceptions for minors and certain existing visa or residence permit holders. 
• France: Non-biometric passports are generally not recognized, subject to limited exceptions for minors and certain travelers holding visas issued before June 2025. 
• Iceland: Non-biometric passports are generally not recognized, subject to limited exceptions for travelers under age 15. 

Separately, the update reiterates that, under Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/1061, Russian travel documents issued in occupied Ukrainian territories and certain disputed regions, including Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, are not accepted for Schengen visa issuance or border crossing purposes. These EU-wide restrictions override individual member state recognition policies.

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