Slovakia Suspends Schengen Visas for Russians Until September – Sports Only Exception

Slovakia suspends Schengen visas for Russians until September 2026, with only sports travel exempted. Tourist, business, and guest visas suspended.

Moscow, July 7, 2026 — Slovakia has suspended the issuance of Schengen visas to Russian nationals for July and August 2026, with only one exception: sports-related travel.

The suspension, announced by visa center operator BLS International on behalf of the Slovak Embassy, means no tourist, business, or guest visas will be processed during this period. National visas for study, family reunification, and specialized work continue to be processed as usual.

Key Details at a Glance

Detail	Information
Suspension Period	July – August 2026
Affected Visas	Schengen visas (tourism, business, guest visits)
Exception	Schengen visas for sports purposes only
Not Affected	National visas (study, family reunification, work)
Processing Time	Extended to 30 days or more
Resumption	Expected after August – exact date TBD

What This Means for Travelers

• Tourist trips to Slovakia this summer – not possible

• Business visits – not accepted

• Guest/family visits (short-term) – not accepted

• Sports participation – still accepted (Schengen visa)

• Study, work, family reunification – still accepted (national visas)

Existing Appointments Canceled

All applicants who had already registered for appointments with tourist, business, or guest purposes will have their appointments canceled. The visa center has promised to refund the service fee in full – funds will automatically return to the payment card within 7 to 15 days, depending on the bank.

Slovakia's Visa Record – Minimal Impact Expected

The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) noted that there is no significant "hype" around Slovak visas on the Russian market, as Slovakia "has historically not been among the top visa-friendly countries for Russian tourists".

2025 visa statistics for Russian applicants:

Country	Visas Issued (2025)
Italy	161,000+
France	156,000+
Greece	59,000
Slovakia	1,149

Wider Context: Europe Tightens Screws on Russian Travelers

Slovakia's move follows a broader trend across Europe:

• Spain: Processing times have increased to up to 45 days due to a surge in applications.

• Italy: Wait times now exceed 60 days – up from the previous 40 days.

• EU-wide: The EU suspended its visa facilitation agreement with Russia in 2022 and moved to deny multi-entry visas in November 2025.

⚠️ Additional Restriction: Slovakia does not recognize Russian passports issued to residents of the LPR and DPR under Presidential Decree No. 183 of April 24, 2019.

Related News: Cyprus Resumes Visa Processing in Russia – BLS Centers Reopen from July 6

For the latest Slovakia visa updates, Schengen news for Russian nationals, and 2026 European travel developments, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/categories/slovakia