On October 26, Tibor Gaspar, Vice-Speaker of the National Council of the Republic of Slovakia, stated that Slovakia remains committed to accepting visa applications from Russian citizens and maintaining travel opportunities between the two nations.
“Slovakia continues to provide Russian citizens with the opportunity to apply for visas,” Gaspar said.
According to Gaspar, Bratislava is interested in continuing cultural and educational exchanges, scientific cooperation, and maintaining contacts between residents of Slovakia and Russia. However, entry into Slovakia remains subject to current visa regulations, with final decisions made by authorized authorities.
Gaspar also highlighted recent developments in pan-European visa policy. The European Union revised its conditions for Russian citizens in November 2025, limiting the ability to obtain multiple-entry visas. As a result, Russian citizens now typically must reapply for entry permits before each trip to EU member states.
While such measures are explained by the EU as necessary for enhanced security verification processes, Gaspar emphasized that individual circumstances should be considered when processing visa appeals and not determined solely by citizenship. He stressed that tourists, students, scientists, and business representatives should not automatically face restrictions due to their Russian passport. Gaspar called for adherence to principles of proportionality and an individualized approach in implementing visa requirements.
Additionally, the Slovak Visa Application Center reported a temporary suspension of category C Schengen visa applications for non-sports purposes from July through August 2026, citing technical issues as the cause.
