The European Union implemented a comprehensive ban on multi-entry visas for Russian nationals this week, marking the strictest travel restriction since the conflict began. However, investigative reports reveal a critical loophole: over 50,000 Russians have already secured alternative citizenships that render these restrictions virtually meaningless.
The Visa Ban That Doesn’t Apply to Everyone
While ordinary Russian citizens now face significant barriers to entering Europe for tourism, business, or family visits, a growing class of wealthy Russians and political elites continues traveling freely across the continent. Their secret? Alternative passports purchased through citizenship-by-investment programs in Serbia, Malta, Turkey, and other nations.
“The EU can ban Russian visas today but it will be unable to ban Serbian citizens from entering Schengen countries tomorrow,” explains Christo Grozev, lead Russia investigator at Bellingcat. “Thousands of Russians have already found that work-around.”
How Russians Are Gaining European Access
Serbia: The $200K Gateway to Schengen
Serbia has emerged as a primary pathway for Russians seeking European access. At least 204 Russian nationals acquired Serbian citizenship between early 2022 and April 2025, according to investigative journalism from iStories. These passport holders include defense contractors and intelligence operatives.
Key advantages of Serbian citizenship:
- Visa-free access to 29 Schengen countries
- No requirement to renounce Russian nationality (dual citizenship allowed)
- Investment threshold: approximately €200,000 in real estate or business creation
- Processing continues despite EU sanctions
The Serbian passport effectively neutralizes Thursday’s EU visa ban for all holders, granting the same travel privileges enjoyed before any restrictions were implemented.
Malta: Full EU Citizenship for Sale
Between 2014 and 2022, Malta sold citizenship to 730 Russians, including individuals with documented connections to Russia’s military activities. The Mediterranean nation’s program continued processing applications even after the invasion began in 2022.
Malta citizenship investment details:
- Minimum investment: €690,000
- Grants full European Union citizenship
- Provides rights to live, work, and travel freely across all EU/Schengen states
- Applications submitted before 2022 still being processed
Malta suspended new Russian applications in 2022 but has not revoked previously granted citizenships, meaning hundreds of Russians retain full EU citizenship rights despite current political tensions.
Turkey: The Volume Leader
Turkey became the largest destination for Russian citizenship seekers, with nearly 5,000 Russians obtaining Turkish citizenship in just six months (March-August 2022). Since 2019, approximately 39,172 Russians have purchased Turkish property, qualifying many for citizenship.
Turkish citizenship requirements:
- Minimum $400,000 property investment
- No renunciation of original citizenship required
- Turkish passport holders still need Schengen visas but face significantly easier application processes
- Higher approval rates compared to Russian passport applications
Naturalization: The Long-Game Alternative
Beyond purchased citizenship, standard naturalization processes have provided thousands more Russians with European passports immune to travel restrictions.
Recent naturalization numbers:
- Germany: 12,980 Russians naturalized in 2024 (highest volume in Europe)
- Finland: 1,600+ Russians granted citizenship in 2024
- Overall migration: 500,000-700,000 Russians emigrated following the invasion, with 40% initially settling in EU countries
“Many who left Russia in 2022-2023 will reach the five-year residency requirement for naturalization between 2027 and 2030,” notes Kadri Liik, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. “By the time these visa restrictions fully take effect, thousands more Russians will hold EU member state passports.”
Countries That Maintained Access
Switzerland
Switzerland hosted 94 Russian nationals with golden visa residence permits as of 2024, making Russians the top beneficiaries alongside Chinese nationals. Swiss residence permits provide Schengen zone access despite Switzerland not being an EU member.
Portugal
Portuguese courts forced the government to resume processing Russian golden visa applications in 2024, ruling that blanket nationality-based restrictions violated anti-discrimination principles. Portugal has processed €450.6 million in Russian investments since 2022.
Cyprus
Cyprus sold citizenship to approximately 3,000 Russians between 2007 and 2020 before suspending its program following corruption scandals. Many beneficiaries retain their Cypriot EU passports, providing continued immunity from visa restrictions.
Hungary
Hungary continues operating a government bonds-for-citizenship program that remains open to Russian applicants, despite criticism from other EU member states.
Beyond Europe: Alternative Destinations
For Russians unable or unwilling to pursue European citizenship, several alternatives have emerged:
United Arab Emirates: Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer tax-free residency without requiring visa-free access to sanctioned countries, making the emirates attractive for business operations.
Latin America: Argentina received 37,700 Russian arrivals in 2023 alone, while Brazil’s visa-free access and established Russian communities made it another key destination.
Migration patterns remain fluid, with one in five Russian emigrants changing countries between 2023 and 2024, and 28% planning another relocation within a year.
Security Concerns and Enforcement Gaps
Intelligence services across Europe have raised significant concerns about Russian nationals using newly acquired citizenship for espionage or sanctions evasion. The visa ban addresses only the most visible layer of a more complex security challenge.
Strictest controls: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania largely prohibit Russian residence permit issuance regardless of investment capacity, citing security concerns given their proximity to Russia.
The fundamental problem: While EU policy officially opposes citizenship-by-investment schemes, individual member states retain sovereign control over naturalization decisions. This creates enforcement gaps that allow wealthy Russians to bypass restrictions.
European Commission officials have repeatedly declared that “European values are not for sale,” yet enforcement of citizenship sale restrictions remains inconsistent across the bloc.
What This Means for EU Travel Policy
The multi-entry visa ban represents the EU’s attempt to tighten restrictions on Russian travel, but the prevalence of alternative citizenships reveals significant limitations in current policy approaches.
Key takeaways for policymakers:
- Citizenship-by-investment programs create persistent loopholes in travel restrictions
- Dual citizenship allowances enable Russians to maintain connections to both countries
- Naturalization timelines mean thousands more Russians will gain EU citizenship in coming years
- Individual member state control over citizenship undermines unified EU policy
For Russian citizens:
- Those with financial means continue accessing Europe through alternative citizenships
- Ordinary citizens face the most significant impact from visa restrictions
- Investment migration remains a viable, legal pathway despite political tensions
The Bottom Line
Thursday’s EU visa ban targets Russian nationals, but enforcement gaps and pre-existing citizenship programs have already granted over 50,000 Russians the ability to bypass these restrictions entirely. As long as individual EU member states retain control over citizenship decisions and naturalization continues for long-term residents, travel restrictions will remain a partially effective tool at best.
The tension between economic incentives and security imperatives remains unresolved, leaving European policymakers grappling with how to enforce restrictions when wealthy individuals can legally purchase their way around them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Russians still travel to Europe after the visa ban? A: Russians with alternative citizenships (Serbian, Maltese, Turkish, etc.) can still travel to Europe. The ban primarily affects ordinary Russian citizens without secondary passports.
Q: How much does it cost to buy citizenship in Europe? A: Costs vary by country: Serbia (~€200,000), Malta (€690,000+), Turkey ($400,000). Each program has different requirements and benefits.
Q: Is buying citizenship legal? A: Yes, citizenship-by-investment programs are legal in many countries, though the EU has expressed opposition to such schemes.
Q: Will more Russians gain EU citizenship through naturalization? A: Yes, experts estimate thousands more Russians who emigrated in 2022-2023 will qualify for naturalization between 2027-2030 after meeting residency requirements.
