Four more EU countries move to reject Russia’s five-year passports

Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg will stop recognising Russian non-biometric passports from October 1, according to a European Commission statement.

The measure applies to old-style Russian foreign passports with a five-year validity period.

Swedish authorities said Russians holding such passports would still be allowed to enter Sweden until the end of 2026 if their Schengen visa or residence permit was obtained before October 1.

The Association of Tour Operators of Russia said that, once the new restrictions take effect, Russian non-biometric passports will no longer be recognised by 15 European countries.

Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Finland, France, the Czech Republic and Estonia had previously stopped accepting the five-year Russian passports.

By Aghakazim Guliyev