Germany tightens visa requirements for Russian tourists

Russians planning a trip to Germany will now need an extract from a bank operating in EU member states to obtain a Schengen visa.

The new rule was published on the website of the German visa operator VisaMetric, according to Interfax.

“It is necessary to provide proof of the availability of financial resources for the duration of your stay in the territory of the Schengen member states. Only up-to-date extracts issued in the name of the applicant from a verifiable bank operating in EU member states can be accepted for consideration," VisaMetric explains.

The document must include information about the current amount of funds in the account (accounts). The applicant must provide relevant bank statements for the last three months.

In addition, Russian travellers will need proof of employment, study or regular sources of income, if there is a pension, then certificates of its payment.

“We also need other possible evidence of the intention to return to the Russian Federation: proof of ownership of the real estate in Russia, one or more vehicles, the presence of close relatives (spouse, children and parents) living in the Russian Federation (marriage or birth certificate),” explains visa operator.