Four more EU countries have refused to recognize non-biometric…
Four more EU countries have refused to recognize non-biometric Russian passports: Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden. As of October 1, 2026, these nations will no longer recognize Russian foreign passports that do not contain biometric data.
Consensus
- Four EU countries—Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, and Sweden—will stop recognizing Russian five-year non-biometric passports starting October 1, 2026.
- The decision is based on a document published by the European Commission.
- Sweden will allow entry for holders of valid visas or residence permits issued prior to October 1, 2026.
- A total of 15 European countries now do not recognize Russian non-biometric passports.
- The main reason cited is the risk of forgery and inability to verify identity due to lack of biometric data.
- Russia issues two types of passports: 10-year biometric and 5-year non-biometric ones.
Points of divergence
- From January 1, 2027, Sweden will stop recognizing non-biometric diplomatic and service passports. — tvrain
- Malta, Norway, and other countries have also implemented a full ban as of 2026. — vm
- Estonia stopped recognizing non-biometric ordinary passports from March 31, 2025, and diplomatic/service passports from September 1, 2026. — vedomosti
- Visas in non-biometric passports must be issued on separate sheets if the issuing country does not recognize the passport. — tg_theinsider
- The Russian Union of Tourism Industry (RST) stated that the official reason is document security and verification difficulties. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
Coverage (19 sources)
- Benelux and Sweden will stop recognizing Russian passports without biometrics — РИАМО
- Another 4 EU countries will stop recognizing 5-year Russian passports — Радио Свобода
- Four more EU countries will stop recognizing Russian passports without biometrics — DW Главное
- Four more European countries will stop recognizing Russian five-year passports — The Insider
- Four more EU countries refuse to recognize non-biometric Russian passports — The Moscow Times
- Four more EU countries refuse to recognize non-biometric Russian passports — The Moscow Times
- Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Sweden will stop recognizing five-year Russian passports from October 1 — Дождь
- Four EU countries will stop recognizing old-style Russian passports from October 1 — Вечерняя Москва
- Four EU countries will stop recognizing non-biometric Russian passports — Ведомости
- Four more EU countries will stop recognizing Russian passports without biometrics — Интерфакс
- Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg will stop recognizing Russian non-biometric passports — Meduza
- Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Sweden will stop recognizing five-year Russian passports from October 1 — Дождь (Telegram)
- Four more EU countries will restrict Russian passports — Вести
- Four more European countries will stop accepting five-year Russian passports — Фонтанка
- Russians will no longer be able to enter four more EU countries with a five-year passport starting in October — Коммерсантъ
- Four more EU countries will stop recognizing Russian non-biometric passports — ASTRA
- Four European countries will stop recognizing old-style Russian passports — Москва 24
- Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Sweden will stop recognizing five-year Russian passports from October 1 — Настоящее Время
- Four more European countries will stop recognizing five-year Russian passports — ЭХО / Новости
Key entities
- Sweden
- Belgium
- Luxemburg
- Netherlands
- EU
- European Commission
- Russia
- Europe
- European Union
- Moscow
- RIA Novosti
- Schengen zone
- Ark
- INTERFAX.RU
- Igor Nizov