France Tightens Entry Rules: Russian Travelers Now Require Biometric Passports

International Desk, Delhi Magazine: In a significant move impacting Russian travelers, France has officially ceased recognizing non-biometric five-year Russian passports for entry, aligning itself with a growing number of European nations enforcing stricter border controls.

According to an update on the European Council website, only biometric ten-year passports will now be accepted for visa issuance and entry into France. However, non-biometric passports issued with a valid French Schengen visa prior to June 1, 2025, will remain acceptable until the visa’s expiration.

An important exemption remains for Russian citizens under the age of 15, who may still enter France using five-year non-biometric passports, as biometric data is not mandatory for minors in many visa regimes.

The new regulation came into effect on June 1, the same day several Russian travelers holding non-biometric passports were detained at Paris Orly Airport. French authorities reportedly deported the individuals after determining they were entering with Italian-issued Schengen visas, which are no longer valid for France under the new policy.

This move mirrors similar decisions already made by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Lithuania, and Estonia, all of which have stopped accepting non-biometric Russian travel documents in recent months.

The tightening of entry requirements reflects a broader trend across the EU, aimed at enhancing document security and aligning visa policies in light of evolving geopolitical tensions. Russian citizens planning travel to Europe are advised to verify the passport requirements of each destination country, even within the Schengen Zone, as national interpretations of admissibility may vary.

The diplomatic and travel implications of these changes are expected to unfold in the coming weeks, especially as the summer travel season ramps up across the continent.

The new travel rules come just days after the European Parliament approved fresh tariffs on Russian and Belarusian agricultural imports, including urea and nitrogen-based fertilizers, which saw a surge in imports during 2023 and 2024.

According to the European Commission, the increasing reliance on Russian fertilizers has created a state of economic dependence that could endanger EU food security and leave the bloc vulnerable to coercive trade tactics by Moscow.