Poland pushes for EU ban on non-biometric Russian passports as Germany backs visa curbs

Visa restrictions for Russian citizens

At a meeting of European Union interior ministers in Luxembourg on 1 October 2026, Poland advocated for an EU-wide entry ban on Russian citizens who do not possess biometric passports. Polish Deputy Minister of the Interior and Administration Maciej Duszczyk presented Warsaw's position, stating that an increasing number of member states support the proposal. Poland stopped recognizing non-biometric Russian diplomatic and service passports in January, followed by all non-biometric Russian travel documents in April. Research institutes estimate that between 47% and 70% of Russian citizens lack any valid foreign passport to travel outside the Commonwealth of Independent States, while no more than 32% hold a new biometric passport.

German support following Leipzig sabotage

Germany joined the coalition of countries supporting tighter visa restrictions for Russian nationals following sabotage activities at Leipzig airport. According to Duszczyk, Berlin strongly backs restrictions targeting tourist visas, which represent the most common entry route. The European Union previously suspended its visa facilitation agreement with Russia in 2022, issuing security guidelines to member states for vetting visa applicants. Duszczyk explained that the initiative is moving toward broader European backing.

I think we are very close to a breakthrough. Maybe not at this Council, but it will certainly be an item at the European Council, because more and more countries see this problem, saying that it is simply a risk to our security.

Asylum suspension and member state flexibility

The ministerial agenda, expanded at the request of Greece, also focused on a crisis response mechanism for migration. Poland requested broad flexibility for member states, including the authority to temporarily suspend the processing of asylum applications during specific border crises. Warsaw pointed to its earlier application of this measure along the border with Belarus, where migration pressure is directed by authorities in Minsk and Moscow. Duszczyk emphasized that border threats vary across the bloc, comparing state-sponsored pressure in Poland and the Baltic states to smuggling networks operating on the Hungary-Serbia border and entries in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

It is member states, having the appropriate European Union tooling, that should decide how to protect the external borders of the European Union.

Rapid reaction capabilities and Frontex deployment

The draft regulations also include the creation of a Frontex rapid reaction group capable of deploying to external borders within 24 hours upon request. The deployment structure is modeled on existing European Union mutual assistance frameworks for civil protection and firefighting during large fires. Speaking to Radio ZET reporter Grażyna Wiatr, Duszczyk noted that human smugglers adapt their methods over time, shifting from tearing down physical barriers to digging tunnels.

If we dealt with forceful border crossings by destroying the barrier, and today we have tunnels, it shows that smugglers are learning and the European Union must have appropriate response instruments, but mainly through member states.

Duszczyk outlined three primary priorities for European Union migration policy: improving external border defense, accelerating return procedures, and integrating migration controls directly into the bloc's security framework.