Effective October 1, 2026, non-biometric ordinary, diplomatic, and service passports issued by the Russian Federation will no longer be recognized for travel and visa processing in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden. 

Sweden has provided a transition period: Russian nationals who already hold a valid Schengen visa or residence permit issued before October 1, 2026, may continue to enter Sweden on a non-biometric passport through December 31, 2026. Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands have not adopted an equivalent exception, so non-biometric passports will cease to be accepted in those three countries from October 1, 2026, without a comparable grace period.  

The Embassy of Luxembourg in Moscow confirmed that Schengen visas already issued and stamped on non-biometric passports will cease to be valid on December 31, 2026, at the latest. 

This change affects travel, visa applications, and new immigration filings. Although it concerns a relatively small group, it is worth checking now which employees it may affect and ensuring they obtain a biometric passport in good time, before autumn travel plans depend on it. 

Other countries that have already enforced the above restriction include the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania. 

For any questions, please contact the T&S EMEA Team.