After the transitional period from the 19th EU sanctions package, travel agencies across Europe are canceling planned tours and removing Russia from their offerings for 2026.

Although the European Union adopted the ban on organizing tourist trips to Russia back in October 2025, the sanctions are only now being implemented in practice. In early 2026, European travel agencies are canceling already sold and planned trips, after the transitional period expired and the sanctions came into full effect.

What exactly does the new ban stipulate?

Following the September agreement of EU member states, travel agencies and tour operators based in the EU are no longer allowed to:

• organize or promote trips to Russia – whether for group excursions or individual arrangements,
• offer package deals that include transport, accommodation, or tourist services in Russia,
• advertise tourist products that include Russia as a destination.

Agencies had until November 21, 2025, to cease all activities related to the Russian travel market.

Why this measure?

The EU justified this measure with several reasons:

• Reducing the economic revenue that Russia generates from tourism, thereby reducing its financial resources that could support armed conflicts.
• Safety concern for EU citizens, as, according to Brussels, there is an increased risk of arbitrary detentions or other security incidents for European citizens in Russia.
• Part of a broader pressure on the Russian economy and its key sectors (energy, finance, defense), which are subject to sanctions.

What does this mean for tourism?

This is the first instance of sanctions being directly targeted at tourist services. Until now, restrictions have primarily been on energy, finance, and related sectors.

While tourism to Russia is still possible for individuals (on their own initiative and without the intermediary services of EU agencies), tour operators and online agencies will have to completely reorient themselves – both in advertising and in the products they offer.

According to some analysts, this measure is mostly symbolic for travel agencies, as demand for travel to Russia has already significantly decreased due to the geopolitical situation following the invasion of Ukraine. However, it clearly establishes a legal and political boundary regarding what is acceptable for European tourism providers.

What’s next?

European travel agencies are now seeking new opportunities in other destinations, while the supply of tourist products within the EU and in neighboring countries is strengthening. At the same time, this is a reminder of how geopolitics directly affects the tourism industry, which is one of the most sensitive sectors to changes in international relations.