Estonia to stop recognising Russia's non-biometric diplomatic passports from 2026

Estonia will no longer accept Russia's non-biometric diplomatic and service passports for crossing the EU external border or applying for visas starting 1 September 2026. The move marks a significant tightening of border and consular policy towards Russia.

Estonia has announced it will cease recognising non-biometric diplomatic and service passports issued by the Russian Federation for the purposes of crossing the EU's external border or applying for visas. The new policy takes effect on 1 September 2026, giving affected passport holders time to obtain biometric travel documents.

The decision applies to both diplomatic passports and service passports — travel documents typically issued to government officials and civil servants. Under Estonian and EU border rules, only biometric passports, which contain an embedded chip storing the holder's fingerprints and facial image, will be accepted for entry or visa applications from Russian officials after the deadline.

The move is part of a broader trend among EU member states to tighten controls on Russian travel documents amid ongoing security concerns stemming from Russia's war against Ukraine. Non-biometric passports are considered less secure because they lack the electronic verification features that help prevent forgery and identity fraud.

Estonia has consistently been among the most assertive EU member states in restricting ties with Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Previous measures have included sharp reductions in visa issuance and tightened border controls at the Narva crossing point.