In accordance with the amendment of the Security Council of the Republic of Albania dated April 20, 2023, in Resolution No. 858 of December 29, 2021, the visa-free regime for Russian citizens has been transformed (annually from May 1 to September 30).
Now, Russian citizens wishing to visit Albania must obtain a visa according to their purpose. Previously, Russian citizens were allowed to enter the country without a visa from May 1 to September 30, which stimulated tourism.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the visa-free regime for Russian citizens was lifted by North Macedonia. The summer stay without a visa for Russian citizens in Montenegro was reduced to 30 days, and in Kazakhstan to 90 days within six months.
In September 2022, the EU suspended the simplified visa regime with Russia, which led to a stricter approach to issuing Schengen visas for Russians by EU member states. Since then, neighboring countries with Russia, such as the Baltic states, Finland, Czech Republic and Poland, have banned entry of Russian tourists into the country.
