Russian Federation to Belgium visa requirements

Russian ordinary passport holders need a Schengen short-stay (type C) visa to visit Belgium for tourism. Belgium is in the Schengen Area, Russia is on the EU visa-required list, and Russia is NOT eligible for ETIAS. Since November 2025, most applications filed in Russia are issued as single-entry only. Belgium is a member of the Schengen Area, and Russia appears on Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806 — the list of countries whose nationals must hold a visa to cross Schengen external borders. A Russian ordinary passport holder therefore must obtain a Schengen short-stay (uniform type C) visa before traveling to Belgium for tourism. The visa permits stays of up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Applications are lodged at the Belgian consulate's authorised visa application centre (VFS Global in Moscow/St Petersburg), normally requiring biometrics, travel medical insurance (minimum EUR 30,000 cover), proof of accommodation, return travel, and sufficient funds. Russia is NOT covered by ETIAS; ETIAS applies only to visa-exempt nationalities, so it is irrelevant here — Russians continue to need a full visa. Two recent restrictions are important: (1) following the European Commission decision of 7 November 2025, multiple-entry Schengen visas for Russian nationals are now severely restricted, so most applicants — including ordinary tourists — receive single-entry visas and must reapply for each trip; and (2) from 1 January 2026 a biometric international (zagranpassport) is generally required to enter the Schengen Area. Processing typically takes about 15 calendar days but can extend to 30-45 days, and appointment availability in Russia is limited. Given conflict-related security screening, applicants should expect heightened scrutiny and longer waits.