Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the number of long-term visas issued by Germany to Russian nationals has decreased by roughly two-thirds, according to reports by Funke Media Group, citing the Federal Government’s response to a query from Green MP Clara Bünger.
The German authorities granted about 13,000 entry permits in 2022, the year the war began, for stays exceeding 90 days. This figure is projected to fall to approximately 4,500 by the end of 2026.
The sharpest decline has occurred in visas for Russians wishing to work or reunite with family, with the numbers for this category plummeting over 90% from approximately 4,550 in 2022. The government predicts an even more moderate decline of around 40% for student visas from Russia. It is important to note that these statistics exclude visas issued under humanitarian reception schemes or for particularly vulnerable individuals.
The report clarifies that it is necessary to distinguish between Schengen visas, which typically enable stays of up to 90 days for tourists, and the national visas required for longer periods of residence.
Bünger commented that she suspects the German Embassy in Moscow has become significantly more restrictive in its decision-making regarding national visa applications from Russian citizens due to the conflict in Ukraine. She strongly rejects this approach, stating that she has received countless letters from Russians over the years who opposed the war and could no longer cope with the restrictive climate in Russia. She argues that Germany should welcome these people, rather than punishing them for the policies of their government.
