Benelux Countries to Stop Accepting Old-Style Russian Passports from 1 October 2026

Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg — the Benelux countries — will stop recognising old-style Russian foreign passports that do not contain a biometric chip from 1 October 2026. The change matters to Russian citizens planning to enter any of the three countries, including travellers visiting family, travelling for work, medical care or other purposes. A visa, where required, does not remove the need to hold a travel document accepted by the destination country.

What changes on 1 October 2026

From 1 October 2026, Russian non-biometric foreign passports, often described as old-style passports, will no longer be accepted for travel to Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg. A biometric foreign passport is a passport containing an electronic chip with the holder’s biometric data. For travel after that date, Russian nationals should plan to use a valid biometric passport rather than an old non-biometric document.

The Embassy of Russia in Belgium linked the decision to the introduction of modern technologies in the European Union and the electronic entry-exit system. Similar restrictions on old-style Russian passports have previously been introduced by, among others, Germany, France, Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states. Rules can differ by country, so do not assume that one country’s practice confirms entry rules in another.

Who should check their documents now

The change concerns a Russian citizen who intends to enter Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg and currently holds an old-style passport without a biometric chip. It is important to check the actual passport that will be presented to the airline, carrier, consulate and border authorities. Do not rely only on the passport’s expiry date: a still-valid non-biometric passport may nevertheless cease to be accepted for this journey after the stated date.

This issue can also affect families whose travel documents are linked to visa, residence-permit or family arrangements. If a Russian passport holder is travelling with a foreign spouse, visiting children or managing property matters, each traveller should separately confirm that their own passport and permission to enter are valid. The available information does not specify visa categories, countries of application, fees or processing times; these must be checked with the relevant consulate.

What to do before travelling

Before a planned trip after 1 October 2026, obtain a biometric Russian foreign passport and use it as the travel document for the journey. The place of application, appointment availability and issuance procedure are not stated in the available information. Confirm the current process with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, or the Russian consulate responsible for the place where the applicant will apply.

Check the new passport’s validity against the entry and visa requirements of Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg. Where a visa is required, ask the consulate of the destination country whether a passport replacement affects a pending visa application, an issued visa or an existing residence permit. The available information does not set out a procedure for transferring or associating a visa or residence permit with a new passport, so this point needs direct confirmation before travel.

Passports subject to Belgium’s separate restrictions

Belgium also does not recognise certain Russian passports issued in Crimea, the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Luhansk People’s Republic, and the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions during periods specified by the Belgian authorities. The information available does not list those periods or the full scope of the Belgian measure.

This requires particular care where a passport was issued in one of those areas or was issued to a person residing there. A biometric chip alone should not be treated as confirmation that the document will be accepted in this situation. Contact the Belgian consulate before making travel arrangements and ask it to assess the document and the intended basis for entry.

At the border and after arrival

Before entry, the immediate risk is that a carrier may refuse boarding if the traveller presents an old non-biometric Russian passport after 1 October 2026. A traveller may also face refusal of entry or difficulties during visa and border procedures. Carry the biometric passport that was used for the visa or entry process, together with any visa or residence document required for the particular trip.

The supplied information concerns document recognition for entry and does not describe registration after arrival in Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg. It also does not provide any new Russian migration-registration requirement. For post-arrival obligations, including local registration or residence formalities, check directly with the immigration authority or consulate of the destination country.

Что проверить

• Check whether the Russian foreign passport intended for travel is an old-style non-biometric passport.
• For travel to Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg after 1 October 2026, arrange a biometric Russian foreign passport.
• Confirm the application procedure and timing with the Russian MFA, Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs or the relevant Russian consulate.
• Check the new passport’s validity against the destination country’s entry and visa rules.
• If an old passport contains a valid visa or residence permit, ask the relevant consulate how passport replacement affects travel.
• Do not rely on an old non-biometric passport alone for boarding or entry after 1 October 2026.
• Contact the Belgian consulate if the passport was issued in Crimea, the DNR, LNR, or the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia or Kharkiv regions, or was issued to a resident of those areas.