Story perspectives

France, Hungary Halt Russian Schengen Visas; EU Backs Ban

7/1/2026

Summary

France Halts Visas

France will stop accepting Schengen visa applications for Russian citizens on July 15.
Applicants must submit forms or via parents/guardians, provide biometric data, sign in person and may submit proof of relationship if registration was within 59 months.
Hungary halted visa reception at Kazan, Samara and Ufa centers on June 29, ending a processing system.
CDU/CSU MEPs supported a prohibition on June 11 after eleven Schengen countries asked the Commission for a tourist ban on June 4.

Summary

European Commission Bans

The European Commission said that after the Jan 1 2027 ban, EU firms may not trade Russian LNG anywhere.
U.S. LNG now supplies about two-thirds of EU gas imports, up from 24 % in 2021.
Hungary and Slovakia oppose the ban, saying it threatens their energy security.
Spain’s Naturgy and France’s TotalEnergies warned the rules could cause commercial complications, prompting Spain to raise Medgaz throughput by 10 % as a backstop.

1 of 2

France Halts Visas

France will stop accepting Schengen visa applications for Russian citizens on July 15.
Applicants must submit forms or via parents/guardians, provide biometric data, sign in person and may submit proof of relationship if registration was within 59 months.
Hungary halted visa reception at Kazan, Samara and Ufa centers on June 29, ending a processing system.
CDU/CSU MEPs supported a prohibition on June 11 after eleven Schengen countries asked the Commission for a tourist ban on June 4.

1 / 2