Moscow Issues Travel Warning for Germany: Russia Urges Citizens to Avoid EU Travel 2025

Published on December 26, 2025

In a move that signals a deepening chill in European relations, the Russian Foreign Ministry has issued a stern advisory to its citizens: Avoid traveling to Germany unless absolutely necessary. Announced by official representative Maria Zakharova on December 25, 2025, the warning marks a dramatic escalation in the diplomatic friction between Moscow and Berlin, turning the once-busy travel corridor into a zone of high geopolitical risk.

This advisory follows a series of policy shifts and security incidents that have made travel between the two nations increasingly fraught. For the thousands of Russian nationals who traditionally travel to Europe during the festive season, the message from the Kremlin is clear: the “unfriendly” actions of Western authorities have made the journey a gamble not worth taking.

The Official Warning: Violation of Rights

During a press briefing at APA’s Moscow bureau, Maria Zakharova framed the advisory as a direct response to what she termed the “violation of the rights of Russian citizens by German authorities.” Moscow’s concerns are rooted in a pattern of increased scrutiny, legal harassment, and a shifting administrative landscape that has left Russian travelers vulnerable.

“In the context of the escalating confrontation… we urge you to refrain from traveling to the United States and its allied states, including primarily Canada and European Union countries—specifically Germany—during these holidays,” Zakharova stated.

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The Russian Foreign Ministry cited “serious risks” for those traveling in both private and official capacities, suggesting that Russian nationals could face arbitrary detentions or “hunts” by Western security services.

The “Single-Entry” Barrier: A New Visa Reality

Beyond the political rhetoric, a major practical obstacle has emerged. Effective December 16, 2025, the European Union implemented a strict “single-entry” rule for Russian short-stay (Schengen C-type) visas.

This policy change, which Berlin is enforcing with particular rigor, means that Russian travelers who once held multi-year, multiple-entry visas for business or family visits are now largely restricted to one-off trips.

• Increased Scrutiny: Consulates now demand exhaustive agendas and detailed invitation letters to justify even a single entry.
• Lengthened Lead Times: Appointment slots in Moscow and St. Petersburg have surged to over three weeks.
• Secondary Inspections: Border police at major hubs like Frankfurt Airport are now automatically flagging any remaining Russian multiple-entry visas for secondary questioning.

Security Alarms and Hybrid Warfare

The travel warning doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It follows a month of high-stakes security incidents that have put both nations on edge.

Cyberattacks on Air Safety: On December 12, 2025, Germany officially blamed Russia for a series of cyberattacks targeting German air safety systems and election infrastructure.

Sabotage Concerns: German intelligence agencies have warned of potential “hybrid actions,” including acts of sabotage and drone surveillance near European airports, which they link to Moscow.

Countermeasures: In response, Berlin announced that starting in January 2026, EU countries will strictly monitor the cross-border movement of Russian diplomats within the Schengen Area to minimize intelligence risks.

Humanizing the Impact: A Season of Separation

For the Russian diaspora in Germany and the families they left behind, this advisory is a personal tragedy. December is traditionally a time of “Bridge Tourism,” where families gather for the Orthodox Christmas and New Year.

Now, many are being forced to choose between the risk of travel and the isolation of staying home. Travelers are being warned that even a minor administrative error—like overstaying a single-entry visa by a day—can result in a permanent Schengen-wide ban. As a result, many are pivoting to “Neutral Hubs” like Istanbul, Dubai, or Baku to meet family members, bypassing the European border entirely.

A Future of Uncertainty

As 2025 draws to a close, the “Iron Curtain” seems to be descending on the world of travel. With Germany set to implement even stricter “visa violator” removal targets in its 2026 migration strategy, the window for Russian-German travel is rapidly closing.

For the average citizen, the message from both sides is one of caution. While Berlin warns of potential Russian attacks on NATO territory by 2029, Moscow warns of “man-hunts” in the West today. In this climate of fear, the simple act of a holiday trip has become a casualty of the broader geopolitical war.