Germany Cuts Long Term Visas For Russian Citizens Nearly Threefold In Four Years

German authorities have slashed long term national visa approvals for Russian citizens by almost three times since 2022, a new government response reveals, according to the Funke media group.

Germany sharply reduces visa approvals for Russians

German authorities have cut long term national visas issued to Russian citizens by nearly three times over the past four years. The Funke media group reported this, citing a government response to a Bundestag inquiry. Left Party lawmaker Klara Bünger submitted the request to Berlin officials.

The German government confirmed a steep drop in visa numbers for Russian applicants. Officials shared the following data in their written response.

“The number of long term visas issued to citizens of Russia has dropped sharply in recent years. While Germany issued 12,930 so called national visas in 2022, forecasts suggest only about 4,500 will be granted in 2026.”

Work and family visas hit hardest

The figures above do not include visas granted on humanitarian grounds. Separate preliminary estimates paint an even starker picture for certain visa categories.

Work related visas for Russian citizens have fallen by roughly 90 percent. Family reunification visas have dropped by about 77 percent over the same period. Student visas for Russian nationals are expected to decline by around 38 percent this year alone.

Lawmaker blames German embassy’s restrictive approach

Bünger linked the sharp decline directly to the German embassy’s stance in Moscow. She described the embassy’s handling of visa applications as overly restrictive.

“I consider this approach absolutely wrong.”

Her comment appeared in the same report published by the Funke media group.

Baltic and Nordic states push for tighter EU rules

Baltic and Nordic countries have been the loudest voices pushing for tougher visa restrictions on Russian citizens across the European Union. The European Commission recently signaled similar intentions. Brussels wants EU member states to tighten Schengen visa rules for citizens of unfriendly nations by the end of 2026.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly criticized the European Union’s visa policy toward Russian citizens. Moscow officials have called the tightened Schengen rules a form of discrimination based on nationality. They have also described the move as an example of hypocrisy from Brussels.