Visas, Entry Rules, and Customs Regulations in Germany

Russian citizens need a visa to enter Germany.

To obtain a tourist visa, you must provide:
1. Passport and a copy of the pages with personal data;
2. General passport and copies of pages with personal data and registration at the place of residence;
3. Two completed (since April 10, 2007, handwritten questionnaires are no longer accepted) and hand-signed application forms for a Schengen visa (the questionnaire is available on the official website of the Embassy on the Internet) with pasted photographs and an additional one photo for a visa;
4. A signed declaration in accordance with paragraph 55 of the German Residence Act (also available on the Embassy’s website);
5. Confirmation of the purpose and route of the trip;
6. Confirmation of accommodation in Germany (name and address of the hotel / boarding house, as well as confirmation of payment for hotels by fax);
7. The type of transport that is planned to travel both ways, when traveling by bus or plane, indicate the name of the company;
8. Proof of funding: when applying, you must provide evidence of at least 50 euros per day of travel / stay (current bank statement, certificate for the purchase of foreign currency, traveller’s checks);
9. Guarantees of your return to the country of residence, for example, documents confirming the availability of regular income in the form of a certificate from the place of work on wages (original) and a work book (original with a simple copy), possibly a certificate of registration of your own company (original with a simple copy), documents on the ownership of real estate, as well as documents on marital status (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children);
10. Health insurance policy valid for the entire period of stay in the Schengen countries, and a copy of this policy. The sum insured must be at least EUR 30,000;
11. For children under 18 years of age, a notarized statement of the consent of parents or persons with guardianship rights to travel with them, and a copy of this statement;
12. Visa fee of EUR 35 in Russian rubles at the current exchange rate.

For a private trip, you need to provide:
1. Passport and a copy of the pages with personal data;
2. General passport and copies of pages with personal data and registration at the place of residence;
3. Two completed and personally signed application forms for issuing a Schengen visa (the form is available on the official website of the Embassy on the Internet) with pasted photos and an additional one photo for a visa;
4. A signed declaration in accordance with paragraph 55 of the German Residence Act (also available on the Embassy’s website);
5. Original invitation from the person from Germany that you are going to visit, with one plain copy attached. The inviting person draws it up on official letterhead at the office for foreigners at the place of residence. It contains a guarantee of taking on all expenses in accordance with paragraphs 66-68 of the Act on residence in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as certification of the signature of the inviting person;
6. Guarantees of your return to the host country, for example, documents confirming the existence of regular income in the form of a certificate from the place of work on wages (original) and a work book (original with a simple copy), possibly a certificate of registration of your own company (original with a simple copy), documents on the ownership of real estate, as well as documents on marital status (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children);
7. Health insurance policy valid for the entire period of stay in the Schengen countries, and a copy of this policy. The sum insured must be at least EUR 30,000;
8. For children under 18 years of age, a notarized statement of the consent of parents or persons with guardianship rights to travel with them, and a copy of this statement;
9. Visa fee of EUR 35 in Russian rubles at the current exchange rate.

Since January 14, 2013, an application center has been operating in Moscow (Shabolovka St., 31/5, Monday through Friday, 8:30-17:00 (499) 681 13 65, (499) 426 03 25), which accepts applications for the issuance of Schengen visas for the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. Registration for the application is made at the application center by phone or by e-mail. The personal appearance of the applicant for the interview is no longer required. An application to the application center can also be submitted by a duly authorized person (a written power of attorney, notarization is not necessary).

Applicants may, if they wish, continue to apply directly to the Visa Section of the German Embassy. The registration required for this is made through the application centre.

To apply for a visa for more than three months or for the purpose of employment in Germany, you should apply directly to the Visa Section of the German Embassy.

Applicable Visa Fees
According to TOP-MEDICAL-SCHOOLS, the basis for calculating visa fees is euros, but visa fees are charged in rubles.

For citizens of Russia, as well as Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, the visa fee is 35 euros.

For citizens of other states, the visa fee is 60 euros.

Children from 6 years old pay the full amount, visas for children under 6 years old are free.

National German visa 30 euros.

Along with the visa fee, the application center charges a service fee of EUR 17.50 (710 rubles) including VAT, per application. Payment is made in rubles.

It is forbidden to import and export the following items: ivory, leopard skins, crocodile bags and similar items.

There are the following import restrictions:

– 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco;

– 2 liters of table wine;

– 1 liter of spirits (over 22%) or 2 liters of spirits up to 22% or 2 additional liters of table wine;

– 60 milliliters of perfume or 250 milliliters of eau de toilette.

Money of any country is allowed to be imported and exported without restrictions.

Germany, Embassy website: http://www.moskau.diplo.de

Customs Regulations in Germany