Ireland has questioned Germany’s proposal to limit Russian tourist visas to the country that issued them, raising concerns about the plan’s effectiveness and its potential impact on trust among Schengen Area members.

Berlin suggested issuing Russian citizens visas valid only within the territory of the issuing country. The measure would require EU member states that continue granting tourist visas to Russians to assume responsibility for their decisions, according to TASS..

However, Ireland, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, argued that the proposal would not guarantee security and could undermine mutual trust among Schengen Area countries.

France and Italy have traditionally opposed tighter visa restrictions and are among the countries issuing large numbers of visas to Russian citizens. Germany, by contrast, has advocated stricter measures.

The European Commission is expected to propose targeted visa restrictions in early 2027.