The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has advised Russian citizens to avoid traveling to Germany unless absolutely necessary, saying Russians there face growing suspicion and hostility.
Speaking at a briefing on March 12, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Russians should carefully assess whether travel to Germany is necessary and follow official guidance published by the ministry.
She claimed German authorities continue to treat nearly every Russian on German territory with suspicion, regardless of whether they live there permanently or temporarily.
Zakharova said an atmosphere of distrust and what she described as arbitrary treatment had developed around Russian citizens in Germany.
Travel by Russian citizens to many European Union countries has become more restricted since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Several EU states suspended or tightened visa issuance for Russians, while countries including Finland and the Baltic states imposed limits on entry through external borders, citing security concerns and political pressure linked to the war.
Despite those restrictions, Germany has remained one of the main EU destinations for Russians with valid visas, residence permits, family ties, or who come on humanitarian grounds.