Russian Non-Biometric Passports: Schengen Recognition Update

The European Commission updated its list of third-country travel documents recognised by Schengen member states for visa issuance and border crossing purposes.

What Has Changed? 

On 31^st August 2026, the European Commission released an updated list of third-country travel documents recognised by Schengen member states for visa issuance and border crossing purposes. The update confirms that several Schengen countries are continuing to phase out recognition of Russian non-biometric passports, although restrictions and implementation dates vary across the Schengen Area.

Schengen Countries Continue Restricting Russian Non-Biometric Passports 

Schengen countries have outlined the following phase-out of Russian non-biometric passports, with the following implementation timeline:

• Denmark: Non-biometric ordinary passports are no longer recognised. Recognition of non-biometric diplomatic and service passports ended on 1 August 2026.
• Germany: Non-biometric ordinary passports are no longer recognised as of 1 January 2026, subject to limited exceptions for certain existing residence permit holders. Recognition of non-biometric diplomatic and service passports ended on 1 September 2026.
• Estonia: Non-biometric ordinary passports have not been recognised since 31 March 2025. Recognition of diplomatic and service passports ended on 1 September 2026.
• Latvia: Non-biometric ordinary passports are no longer recognised. Recognition of diplomatic and service passports ended on 1 September 2026.
• Lithuania: Non-biometric ordinary passports are no longer recognised. Recognition of diplomatic and service passports will end on 1 December 2026.
• Poland: Recognition of non-biometric diplomatic and service passports ended on 1 January 2026, followed by ordinary passports on 1 April 2026.
• Romania: Recognition of all non-biometric Russian passport types ended on 1 January 2026, subject to a limited exemption for certain diplomatic personnel and family members through 31 March 2026.
• Finland: Recognition of all non-biometric Russian passports ended on 1 June 2026, with transition provisions through 31 December 2026 for certain visa and residence permit holders, as well as limited exceptions for minors.
• Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg): Recognition of all non-biometric Russian passports will end on 1 October 2026.
• Sweden: Recognition of non-biometric ordinary passports will end on 1 October 2026, with transition measures through 31 December 2026 for certain visa and residence permit holders. Recognition of diplomatic and service passports will end on 1 January 2027.
• Czechia: Non-biometric passports are generally not recognised, subject to limited exceptions for minors and certain existing visa or residence permit holders.
• France: Non-biometric passports are generally not recognised, subject to limited exceptions for minors and certain travellers holding visas issued before June 2025.
• Iceland: Non-biometric passports are generally not recognised, subject to limited exceptions for travellers under age 15.

Separately, the update reiterates that, under Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/1061, Russian travel documents issued in occupied Ukrainian territories and certain disputed regions, including Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, are not accepted for Schengen visa issuance or border crossing purposes. These EU-wide restrictions override individual member state recognition policies.

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