Russia
Summary
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to the whole of Russia due to the lack of available flight options to return to the UK, and the increased volatility in the Russian economy.
If your presence in Russia is not essential, we strongly advise that you consider leaving by remaining commercial routes.
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a large scale invasion of Ukraine which is ongoing. International and domestic response to this action is affecting conditions within Russia and for those traveling to Russia in a number of ways.
If you are in Russia, it will not be possible to fly directly to the UK, or via EU countries. Check the latest information with your airline or travel provider. Connecting flights, largely via the Middle East, Serbia and Turkey are operational for travel from Russia to the UK and other destinations. However, demand is currently high and flights may sell out quickly.
In May 2022, the UK government designated Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines, Ural Airlines and Russian Railways for the purposes of UK sanctions. This means that British nationals and others who are bound by UK sanctions are prohibited from entering into transactions which result in making funds directly or indirectly available to these companies, such as purchasing tickets from them. On 23 May 2022, the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation issued a generalgeneral licence which means that for journeys originating in, or within, Russia, British nationals may purchase tickets from these companies without breaching UK sanctions.
On 4 March 2022, the Russian parliament passed laws imposing severe restrictions on the publishing and distribution of information related to the Russian armed forces and any military operations. People charged under these laws face heavy sentences. See [ITIT and Socialsocial Media](media on the Local laws and customshttps://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia/local-laws-and-customs) page.
On 21 September 2022, Russia declared a “partial” mobilisation of Russian citizens to join the military forces. British nationals holding Russian passports should be aware that they may be in scope for mobilisation or conscription, as the Russian government does not recognise dual nationality for Russian nationals in Russia and treats dual nationals as Russian nationals.
There have been numerous reports of explosions and fires in areas near the Russian border with Ukraine. The wider situation remains unpredictable and could further escalate without warning.
Political rallies and demonstrations can occur in Moscow, St Petersburg and other places across Russia. Check the local media for the latest information, be vigilant, and avoid any demonstrations. See Political situation
There are reports of increased police presence and ID checks. You should keep your passport with you at all times. See Safety and security
Short-term travel restrictions are sometimes applied in relation to ongoing security operations. These are publicised at very short notice, if at all. See Local travel
If you need consular assistance call the British Embassy Moscow +7 495 956 7200 and then select the option for consular assistance. Phone lines are answered 24 hours a day. You can contact the emergency services by calling 112.
If you decide to remain in Russia, keep your departure plans under constant review and ensure your travel documents are up to date. Monitor the media and this travel advice regularly and subscribe to email alerts.
Consular support is severely limited in parts of Russia due to the security situation and the size of the country. The North Caucasus remains an unstable and potentially dangerous region. Russian authorities take a particularly strict attitude towards security, as well as compliance with visa and registration rules.
The UK does not recognise Crimea, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic, and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as being part of Russia. See the travel advice for Ukraine for details.
The UK government has imposed sanctions against a range of Russian companies and individuals and imposed other finance, trade and transport sanctions in relation to Russia. These sanctions may have an effect on transactions in, or connected with, Russia. More information about Russia sanctions is available on GOV.UK including on the application of sanctions prohibitions and requirements to British nationals.
MasterCard and Visa have suspended operations in Russia. This means that MasterCard and Visa cards issued outside of Russia will not work at Russian merchants or ATMs. Cards issued inside Russia continue to work in Russia but they will not work outside of Russia. Be aware that it may not be possible for you to access your funds through Russian banks or to make payments to Russian businesses with non-Russian credit/debit cards.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Russia. See Terrorism.
Small earth tremors are recorded throughout the year without consequences. To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, see the website of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Update history
2024-11-29 11:26
Information on new biometric entry requirements at Moscow airports (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-08-23 11:30
New information on the security situation, the risk of arrest and detention, and entry requirements (‘Warnings and insurance’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2024-07-04 13:20
New information on the security situation in the North Caucasus (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-17 13:25
Information that Russia has banned surrogacy for all foreigners except those married to Russian citizens (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-04-05 16:00
Information on travelling from Russia to Finland and that border crossing points for maritime traffic at Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio will be closed to leisure boating from 15 April (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-03-27 16:35
Update on the terrorism section and information on obtaining a Russian driving licence (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-24 16:36
On 22 March 2024, a terrorist attack took place at the Crocus City Concert Hall in Krasnogorsk near Moscow. Additional counter-terrorism procedures and restrictions are in place across the country as a result (‘Warnings and insurance’)
2024-03-22 18:49
Update on ongoing incident around Crocus concert hall in Krasnogorsk near Moscow (‘Warnings and insurance’)
2024-03-14 15:47
Information on Russian presidential elections (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-03-12 15:16
Information on terrorism in Russia (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-03-08 12:00
Information on questioning that British Nationals may receive on arrival in Russia and new information about the risks around arrest and detention under Russian law (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-03-07 20:49
Information on a US Embassy in Moscow security alert which says “The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours.” (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-02-15 13:49
Information on legislative restrictions which target the LGBT+ community in Russia (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-09 13:02
Update on Finnish border closures (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-02-06 09:43
Closure of Narva vehicle border crossing between Russia and Estonia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-01-15 16:49
Information that Road border crossings between Finland and Russia will be closed until at least the 11 February 2024 (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-12-27 14:03
Information on Arctic travel (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-12-15 11:22
Information following the announcement of Finnish border crossings closing (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-12-14 11:39
Information for LGBT+ travellers (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-12-13 09:17
Information on road border crossings between Finland and Russia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-11-29 11:12
Information on border closures between Finland and Russia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-11-23 16:16
Information on further border closures between Finland and Russia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-11-17 13:02
Information on Finland closing four of its land borders to Russia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-30 16:32
Information on the restriction of entry for cars registered in Russia (Under ‘Leaving Russia’; ‘By Road’ on the ‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-09-01 14:23
Information on delays and cancellations of flights in and out of airports in Russia (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-25 16:54
Addition of information about Russian nationals being prohibited from exiting Russia (‘Summary’ page).
2023-08-24 11:55
Information on entry restrictions in the Voronezh Region’s Paninsky district following an outbreak of anthrax (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-06-30 17:13
Lifting of restrictions following reduced military tensions in the Rostov and Voronezh regions (‘Summary’ page). Additional details on risks to dual nationals (‘Summary’ and ‘Local laws and customs’ pages).
2023-06-25 10:55
Updates on the lifting of restrictions following reports of reduced military tensions in the Rostov and Voronezh regions. Additionally, there is a lack of available flight options to return to the UK (‘Summary’ page)
2023-06-24 08:50
Latest update:There are reports of military tensions in the Rostov region and a risk of further unrest across the country. Additionally, there is a lack of available flight options to return to the UK (‘Summary’ page)
2023-06-24 08:46
Latest update: There are reports of military tensions in the Rostov region and a risk of further unrest across the country. Additionally, there is a lack of available flight options to return to the UK(‘Summary’ page)
2023-06-22 10:08
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-30 16:52
Information on recent drone attacks and termination of UK-Russia Green Card Bilateral Agreement (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-05-04 19:10
Updated information about large gatherings and reports of fires and explosions (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-05-02 14:46
Updated information about altitude sickness (‘Health’ pages).
2023-03-31 20:12
Information on risks for journalists. (Safety & Security Page)
2023-03-02 11:09
Updated information about high security (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-01-23 16:08
Updated information on British government staff travelling internally in Russia and using Western-manufactured aircraft (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-12-30 13:59
Updated information on threats to British Nationals in Russia (‘Terrorism’ page).
2022-12-19 17:35
Updated information on travel, safety and security, visas and dual nationality (‘Summary’, ‘Returning to the UK’, Coronavirus’, Safety and security’, ‘Entry requirements’, ‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-11-16 10:35
Clarification of requirement for health checks for those staying longer than 90 days in Russia and clarification of liability for conscription of dual nationals (‘Summary’ and ‘Local laws and customs’ pages).
2022-10-22 11:03
Information on removal of requirement to produce a negative PCR test on entry to Russia.
2022-10-21 12:49
New information about potential additional security measures announced by President Putin on 19 October (‘Summary’ page).
2022-09-30 16:49
Updated information on security checks on foreign nationals and transport routes out of Russia (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-09-26 15:41
Addition of information about Russian declaration of a “partial” mobilisation of Russian citizens to join the military forces (‘Summary’ page).
2022-09-23 17:12
Updates on political rallies, and border tensions with Ukraine including explosions and fires, (Summary Page) and (Safety and security page).
2022-08-25 13:33
Updated information on COVID-19 cases (‘Coronavirus’ page) and entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-07-12 14:39
Updated information on security checks on foreign nationals (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ page) and COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-26 10:58
Updated information on sanctions (Summary’ page)
2022-05-05 16:39
Updated information on the situation in border areas with Ukraine, the value of the Rouble, number of British National visitors, social distancing rules, COVID-related entry restrictions, travelling between Russia and Belarus, LGBT+ travellers, dual nationality, HIV prevalence (Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and Security’, ‘Entry Requirements’ ‘Local Laws and Customs’, ‘Health’ and ‘Money’ pages)
2022-04-27 15:57
Updated information on increased security checks in regions adjoining the Ukraine/Russia border (‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-04-21 16:18
Updated information on the arrival process at Russian airports and money exchange (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Money’ pages)
2022-04-11 17:11
Updated information on COVID-19 protocols (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-08 12:09
Updated information on COVID-19 protocols (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages) and flight safety (‘Returning to the UK’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-04-02 11:40
Updated information on military action in the Belgorod region of Russia (See ‘Summary’ page)
2022-03-29 16:57
Updated information on travelling from Russia to Finland; a train service is no longer available (‘Returning to the UK’ page).
2022-03-24 19:53
Updated information on domestic flight restrictions (‘Summary,’ ‘Returning to the UK’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages). The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the whole of Russia due to the lack of flight options and increased economic volatility.
2022-03-23 18:54
Updated information on domestic flight restrictions (‘Summary,’ ‘Returning to the UK’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages), and updated country entry restrictions list (‘Entry requirements’ page). The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the whole of Russia due to the lack of flight options and increased economic volatility.
2022-03-17 11:08
Updated information on entry restrictions (‘Entry requirements’ page) and domestic flight restrictions (‘Summary’, ‘Returning to the UK’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages). The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the whole of Russia due to the lack of flight options and increased economic volatility
2022-03-09 14:18
Updated information on transport options and border crossings (‘Returning to the UK’ page). The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the whole of Russia due to the lack of flight options and increased economic volatility
2022-03-07 21:16
Updated with information about bus services from Russia to the Baltic States (see ‘Returning to the UK’ page). The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the whole of Russia due to the lack of flight options and increased economic volatility.
2022-03-06 18:51
Updated to advise British nationals whose presence in Russia is not essential to consider leaving by remaining commercial routes, information on travel out of Russia, announcement that Mastercard and Visa have suspending operations in Russia (see ‘Summary’, ‘Returning to the UK’ and ‘Money” pages).
2022-03-05 10:22
Updated to advise British nationals whose presence in Russia is not essential to consider leaving by remaining commercial routes, information on travel out of Russia, possible social media restrictions (‘Summary’, ‘Returning to the UK’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-03-02 22:25
The FCDO now advises against all travel to Russia (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-02-28 15:03
The FCDO now advises against all travel to Russia (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-02-26 00:29
Updated information regarding where FCDO advises against all travel (summary)
2022-02-25 10:25
Updated information on restrictions to flights in both UK and Russian airspace and British Airways’ decision to cease flights to Russia (see ‘Summary’ page).
2022-02-24 22:21
Change to the Summary – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused significant political tension between Russia and Western countries.
2022-02-24 11:17
New information on restrictions on domestic flights to a number of airports in southern Russia, with disruption to internal flights to and from Moscow and other cities. Check the latest information with your airline or travel provider (‘Summary’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages). New information on reports of increased police presence and ID checks. You should keep your passport with you at all times. (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-02-24 05:32
There are multiple reports of widespread military activity in Ukraine. You should not attempt to cross into Ukraine from Russia. (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-02-21 19:50
Update to advise on states of emergency introduced in some Russian regions (‘Safety and Security’ page)
2022-02-17 17:45
Update to areas in Russia where the FCDO advises against all travel, due to the build up of Russian forces and ongoing military exercises (‘Summary’ page)