Russia e-Visa for citizens of Germany: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of Germany apply online before departure, for stays up to 30 days.
Data updated on
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Allowed stay
30 days
Our guide to the Russia visa from Germany
Yes. An e-Visa is required for holders of a passport from Germany to enter Russia. It is requested online before the trip, only through the official Russian portal, and allows a stay of up to 30 days.
German travellers planning a stay in Russia submit an electronic application rather than a traditional consular file: an online form, a digital photo and a copy of the passport are normally enough to start the procedure. Fees and processing time are not given here and must be checked on the official portal.
Is a visa compulsory for Russia?
Yes. A German passport does not allow entry into Russia without a visa: for a short stay, the route provided is the e-Visa, applied for and approved online before departure. It allows a stay of up to 30 days, which is distinct from the period during which the e-Visa can be used. Other purposes or durations follow a different procedure.
How much does an e-visa for Russia cost from Germany?
The official fee for an e-visa for Russia is not published in a source we can verify. Check the amount on the official portal before paying anything, third-party sites often add service fees on top.
What does a visa for Russia really cost?
The published fee is the government charge alone. Two or three other lines are added before the visa is in the passport, and they are what makes the final bill.
- Government feeNot published in a source we can verify
Paid to the state, non-refundable if the visa is refused.
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
Never compulsory. An intermediary fills the form for you, it does not change the decision or the processing time.
We only display amounts published by an official source. Confirm the total before paying anything.
What documents are required for an e-visa for Russia?
Documents required for an e-visa for Russia:
- Passport valid 6 months beyond stay
- Completed application form
- One passport-size photo
- Travel medical insurance
- Proof of accommodation
- Visa fee payment
Documents and fees
The electronic file normally relies on two items: a recent digital passport photo and the passport data page, which must remain valid according to the portal’s rules. No fee is given in this guide; if one applies, it is shown on the official Russian portal, the only reliable payment channel. If you have questions, contact the Embassy of Russia in Germany.
How to apply for an e-visa for Russia from Germany
- 1Fill in the form on the destination’s official portal.
- 2Upload the required documents (passport, photo, supporting papers).
- 3Pay the fee online by card.
- 4Receive the authorisation by email, usually without a consular visit.
- 5Show the authorisation, printed or on your phone, at boarding.
Online steps
Open the official e-Visa portal of the Russian authorities, then complete the form with the details from your German passport, using the exact spelling of your name. Attach the digital photo and the passport copy, check everything before submitting and keep the application number. Once the e-Visa is approved, print it and keep a copy on your phone.
Where do you apply for a visa for Russia from Germany?
An e-visa for Russia is filed entirely online: there is no counter to visit and no file to hand in. The only address that matters is the official portal.
- The application, the supporting documents and the payment all go through the official portal, from any country.
- Lookalike sites copy the portal’s name and layout, then resell the same application with a margin. Check the domain before you type in a passport number.
- The authorisation arrives by email. Keep a printed copy, some airlines ask for it at boarding.
You live in Germany on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Germany but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does an e-visa for Russia take?
No verified processing time is published for this route. Apply as early as your travel dates allow, and never book non-refundable travel before the e-visa is granted.
Timing and precautions
As no processing time is available, apply early enough and avoid non-refundable expenses before approval. Before departure, reread on the portal the entry conditions linked to the e-Visa, including the authorised crossing points, and plan your return so as not to exceed 30 days in the country. The travel advice issued by the German authorities is also worth reading.
Before you fly, and at the border
- Passport validity: most countries require the passport to stay valid beyond the return date, and the margin required differs from one destination to the next. Check it on the official source, and count from your return, not from your departure.
- A visa is not a right of entry. The border officer decides, and may ask for a return ticket, an address or proof of funds even when everything is in order.
- Conditional exemptions exist: several countries waive the visa for holders of a valid visa or residence permit from a third country. This depends on the destination and on the document, and we do not publish that rule when our sources do not carry it. The official page does.
- Minors travelling alone or with one parent are often asked for extra papers, typically a parental authorisation and the family record. Ask the post before booking.
- Overstaying is not a formality. It exposes you to a fine, to removal, and to an entry ban that can outlast the trip by years, including for the whole area when the destination belongs to one.
Common mistakes
Mistaking a commercial website that copies the official portal’s look and charges more for the procedure is a common trap. A rejected photo, a misspelled name or a wrong passport number can also lead to refusal. Finally, a stay of more than 30 days is not covered by this e-Visa: a longer trip requires the appropriate procedure.
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Other visa types for Russia
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
Official sources
- Consular Department, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official)
- Auswaertiges Amt - German Federal Foreign Office travel advice
Guide generated automatically on October 17, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Short-stay (tourism)
eVisa / authorization
Entry regime
eVisa / authorization
Duration
30 days
Official websiteVerified
Work visa
Work visa
Duration
1-3 years
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
20 business days
Official websiteVerified
Business visa
Consular visa
Duration
1 year
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
10 business days
Official websiteVerified
Private/family visit visa
Family reunification
Duration
90 days
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
20 business days
Official websiteVerified
Transit visa
Transit visa
Duration
10 days
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
10 business days
Official websiteVerified
Student visa
Student visa
Duration
Duration of programme
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
10 business days
Official websiteVerified
Highly Qualified Specialist visa
Work visa
Duration
3 years
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
14 business days
Official websiteVerified
Tips for traveling in Russia
- Check the validity of your passport before applying for a visa.
- Make sure to fill out the online form correctly to avoid delays.
Example: For a trip to Russia, it is recommended to prepare all necessary documents in advance and check the current entry conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to travel to Russia from Germany?▾
Yes, an e-visa (electronic visa) is required. It is applied for online before departure and allows a stay of 30 days.
What documents are required for a visa to Russia?▾
For the tourist visa application, you will need: Passport valid 6 months beyond stay, Completed application form, One passport-size photo, Travel medical insurance, Proof of accommodation, Visa fee payment.
How do you apply for a visa for Russia from Germany?▾
The application is fully online and made before departure: form on the official portal, documents uploaded, card payment, then the authorisation arrives by email. In most cases no consular visit is needed.
How long can you stay in Russia?▾
The tourist visa allows a stay of 30 days.
What other visa types exist for Russia?▾
Depending on the purpose of stay, Russia offers among others: Business visa, Work visa, Highly Qualified Specialist visa, Student visa, Private/family visit visa, Transit visa.
Data verified on 28/10/2026 · Our methodology
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Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
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