Berlin tightens visa rules for Russian citizens

Germany has introduced new restrictions on the issuance of visas for Russian nationals.

As the German Embassy in Moscow announced, the updated measures apply to both Schengen and national visas, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

According to the embassy, the tightening was prompted by “increased security risks for the EU” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russian applicants without compelling reasons for travel should now expect longer and more rigorous application reviews.

Diplomatic mission data shows that in 2024, Germany issued around 17,000 Schengen visas to Russian citizens, out of 541,800 short-term entry permits in total — a drop of 90 per cent compared to 2019.

By Khagan Isayev