Requirements for entry into Russia

Entering Russia requires thorough preparation and knowledge of important points. Foreign nationals must comply with a number of requirements, one of which is having the necessary documents: a valid passport and visa, which can be obtained at the Russian consulate in the country of residence or online, depending on your nationality. Also, when crossing the Russian border, you will need to fill out a migration card and go through customs control.

It is important to remember that if you plan to stay in Russia for more than 7 days, you need to register with the migration authorities at your place of residence, usually this procedure is carried out by the hotel or the landlord of the rented apartment.

Regardless of the purpose of your visit, whether it be tourism, business trip, or visiting relatives, it is important to be aware of all the necessary formalities. We will consider key points related to entering Russia, starting from obtaining a visa and ending with customs control rules, what vaccinations may be needed, how to organize a trip with children and pets, as well as what you need to know about transit flights and airports. Additionally, we will provide information about German diplomatic missions in Russia, which can provide assistance if necessary.

We hope that our tips and recommendations will help make your trip to Russia as comfortable and safe as possible.

For entry into Russia, EU citizens, including Germany, require a visa. Depending on the purpose of the trip, there are different types of visas: tourist, business, educational, and work. The visa application process includes submitting an application, providing the necessary documents, and paying a consular fee.

In recent years, Russia has introduced a system of electronic visas (eVisa), which has significantly simplified the visa application process for foreign citizens. An electronic visa to Russia allows you to visit the country with a tourist, business, or humanitarian purpose for up to 16 days, and the application process for an e-visa is done online, saving time and simplifying the procedure.

You can apply for a visa to Russia on our website and do it quite easily and quickly. To obtain an eVisa, you need to fill out an online form, upload a photo and a copy of your passport, and pay the visa fee. It is important to note that the electronic visa is valid only for entry through certain airports and seaports.

Electronic visas make travel to Russia more accessible and convenient for many travelers, reducing the time and effort required to obtain a visa.

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for entry into Russia. However, it is recommended to have vaccinations that will help protect your health while staying in the country.

Recommended vaccinations for entry into Russia:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella

It is especially recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B if you are planning a long stay at a resort. Depending on the season and region, it may be useful to get a vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis, especially if you are going to spend time in nature. If you are traveling with a pet, do not forget to give it a rabies vaccination. You can read more about this in our article «Traveling with pets to Russia».
Keep in mind that the rules may change depending on the epidemiological situation, so it is recommended to check the current information on official websites or at consulates before your trip.

Vaccination is an important step in maintaining health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Regular vaccinations help protect both your own health and the health of the community as a whole.

Traveling with children to Russia can be an unforgettable adventure filled with vivid impressions and new discoveries. Russia offers many interesting places for excursions and events suitable for family vacations.

Families can visit such famous tourist spots as Red Square and Kremlin in Moscow, Hermitage in St. Petersburg, as well as numerous museums and theaters. If you want to show your children the nature of Russia, go on a tour to Karelia or Lake Baikal. In Karelia, you can ride boats on lakes and rivers, and at Lake Baikal – see the deepest lake in the world and enjoy its crystal clear water.

Do not forget to try the local cuisine. There are many dishes in Russia that children will like, for example, pancakes, dumplings, and vareniki.

It is important to remember that children traveling alone must have a document - permission to enter, signed and certified by both parents in English. This requirement is necessary to ensure safety and compliance with legislation. If a child is traveling with one of the parents, a notarially certified consent of the other parent for the child's departure from Germany may be required.

Traveling with children to Russia is a great opportunity to spend time together, learn a lot of new things, and enjoy the beauties of this amazing country.

Traveling with pets to Russia can be an exciting and memorable experience. However, to ensure the trip goes smoothly, several important steps must be taken:

• International veterinary passport: Make sure your dog or cat has an international veterinary passport with vaccination marks.
• Rabies vaccination: All carnivorous animals must be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccination must be done no later than 20 days before the trip if the animal has not been vaccinated in the last 12 months.
• Veterinary certificate: Obtain a veterinary certificate confirming the health of your pet.
• Number of animals: The import of no more than two dogs and cats is allowed without the permission of the Rosselkhoznadzor and prior quarantine.
• Airline rules: Contact the airline to find out the rules for transporting animals on board.

It is also worth learning about quarantine requirements and possible restrictions on the importation of certain breeds of animals.

When planning a trip, consider the comfort of your pet. Some airlines allow animals in the cabin if they meet certain requirements in terms of weight and size. In other cases, the pet will have to be transported in the luggage compartment. It is important to prepare your pet for the flight by providing a comfortable and safe place to travel. Do not forget to bring all the necessary items for the pet, such as food, water, toys, and a first aid kit.

Upon arrival in Russia, it is important to comply with local rules and standards for keeping pets. In large cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, there are many parks and dog walking areas. However, in public places, pets must be on a leash and, in some cases, in a muzzle.

Currently, there are no direct flights from Germany to Russia, but you can get there with transfers. We will tell you about several ways to do this.

Through Belgrade
Transit through Belgrade can be a convenient and economical option for travel from Germany to Russia. Direct flights from Wizz Air from cities like Dortmund, Hamburg, and Frankfurt can save significantly on airfare.
From Belgrade, Air Serbia offers flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, and Kazan. However, given the high demand for these destinations, it is recommended to take care of ticket purchases in advance.

Through Istanbul
A transfer in Istanbul is a more expensive way to fly from Germany to Russia,  but it offers many travel options. Turkish Airlines has an extensive route network, making Istanbul a convenient transit hub. From Germany, you can fly to Istanbul from many major cities, such as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Dortmund, and others.
From Istanbul to Russia, there are many destinations available, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladikavkaz, Volgograd, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Makhachkala, Mineralnye Vody, Novosibirsk, Orenburg, Samara, Sochi, Stavropol, Ufa, Chelyabinsk, and other cities. This makes the journey more flexible and convenient, especially if you need to get to less populous cities.

Through Dubai
There is an opportunity for transit to Russia from Germany via Dubai. Keep in mind that this route from Germany can be quite long and expensive.
From Germany to Dubai, you can fly out of Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, and Düsseldorf. From Dubai to Russia, flights are available to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Makhachkala, Kazan, Sochi, Mineralnye Vody, and other cities.

On average, a flight from Germany to Russia with a transfer will take 9 and a half hours. You can book tickets for airline flights using a card from any foreign bank.

Transit zones at airports in Russia play an important role for passengers making transfers to international flights without the need to leave the airport. These areas are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable wait for the next flight: comfortable seating, cafes, duty-free shops, relaxation areas, and free Wi-Fi. This allows passengers to comfortably spend time waiting for their next flight.

It is important to note that for transit through Russia, German citizens may require a transit visa. Such a visa allows you to stay in the airport's transit zone for up to 24 hours without leaving its boundaries.

To obtain a transit visa, you must provide proof of the right to enter a third country, as well as tickets for the entire route. Visa relaxations for German citizens include the possibility of issuing an electronic visa, which significantly simplifies the process of obtaining permission to enter. An electronic visa allows you to stay in Russia for up to 16 days and can be used for transit through the country. You can apply for such a visa on our website.

It is important to note that passengers located in the transit zone do not undergo customs control, as they do not leave the international zone of the airport.

Thus, the transit zones in Russian airports offer convenient conditions for transfers, and the presence of visa relaxations makes the transit process more comfortable and faster.

German diplomatic missions in Russia play an important role in maintaining bilateral relations between the two countries.

The main German representation in Russia is the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, located in Moscow.

• Address: Moscow, Mosfilmovskaya Street, 56
  Phone: +7 495 937 95 00 

Germany also has a general consulate in St. Petersburg, which provides consular services and support to citizens of Germany and Russia.

• Address: St. Petersburg, Furstatskaya Street, 39
  Phone: +7 812 320 24 00 

Honorary Consuls of the Federal Republic of Germany.

• Vladivostok, Goriyskaya Street, 15
  Phone: +7 423 244 23 30

• Kazan, Volkova Street 59, 609
  Phone: +7 960 030 4000

• Saratov, Chernyshevskogo Street, 92A
  Phone: +7 8452 43 8877

These representations provide a wide range of services, including emergency assistance, as well as support in matters related to citizenship and law. Travelers can contact any of these consular offices for necessary information and assistance during their stay in Russia.

Rest in Russia offers a variety of travel opportunities. From the majestic mountains of the Caucasus to the picturesque shores of Baikal, the country is full of natural wonders. Cultural cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg offer an introduction to rich history and architecture. In Russia, you can enjoy both active recreation and quiet walks through historical sites.

Several popular destinations for rest in Russia: