Italy Becomes Easiest Schengen Visa Destination for Russian Tourists |

Italy Becomes Easiest Schengen Visa Destination for Russian Tourists

With spring and summer approaching, more Russian travellers are expected to apply for Schengen visas.

While processing times vary between countries, Italy currently offers the fastest turnaround, making it a top choice for Russian applicants.

According to travel experts, the Italian visa center in Moscow has the shortest wait time for an appointment. Applicants can typically secure a slot within 7 to 10 days, and after their interview and biometric submission, visas are being issued within 2 to 3 weeks. This means Russians can obtain an Italian Schengen visa in less than a month—a major advantage over other countries.

Experts also report that there are still plenty of available appointments for March, and no major delays have been observed in obtaining an Italian visa.

While Italy is the fastest option, other popular Schengen countries such as France, Spain, Hungary, and Greece remain in high demand.

However, getting an appointment for these countries can be more difficult.

France: No available visa appointments in Moscow until the end of March. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks, similar to Italy.
Spain: Appointment slots are released sporadically, with new ones expected to open soon.
Greece: The Moscow visa center only offers four appointment slots per day, making it harder to secure a spot.

Even though Schengen visa processing has returned to pre-pandemic timelines, Russian applicants are finding it difficult to obtain long-term multiple-entry visas.

France: Issuing visas valid for only six months.
Spain: Mostly issuing one- to three-month visas.
Greece & Hungary: Granting visas only for the exact dates of travel.

Tour operators criticize this inconsistency, saying there’s no clear pattern to how long a visa will be issued. Some applicants who previously held one- or two-year visas are now only receiving six-month visas, leading to extra costs and inconvenience.

As demand for Schengen visas increases in the coming months, Russian travellers are advised to apply early to secure an appointment. Italy currently remains the best option for fast processing, but other countries may have longer wait times.

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