Russia Visa Invitation for
German Citizens — 2026 Guide
Everything German citizens need to know about getting an official Russian visa invitation — what it is, where to apply, what documents to prepare and how to get it in 5 minutes online.
Planning a trip to Russia from Germany? Whether you want to explore Moscow, St. Petersburg or travel along the Trans-Siberian Railway — you will need a Russian visa. And for most German citizens, getting the visa starts with one key document: a tourist invitation letter. This guide explains everything you need to know in 2026.
1. Do German citizens need an invitation for a Russian visa?
Yes. German citizens who apply for a traditional tourist visa to Russia must provide an official invitation letter (also called visa support, tourist voucher or confirmation). This document is issued by an accredited Russian tour operator and submitted together with your visa application at the consulate.
There is one alternative: the Russian e-visa, which allows stays of up to 30 days and does not require an invitation letter. However, the e-visa has limitations — it is only valid for entry through designated border crossings and cannot be used for all travel purposes. For longer stays or multiple entries, a traditional tourist visa with an invitation is required.
Quick answer
E-visa (up to 30 days): no invitation needed. Traditional tourist visa (up to 30–90 days, multiple entry): invitation letter required. Get yours at ivisastore.com in 5 minutes.
2. What is a Russian tourist invitation letter?
A Russian tourist invitation consists of two official documents issued by an accredited tour operator:
- Confirmation (Подтверждение) — confirms that a Russian company has arranged your stay, including your hotel address and travel dates
- Tourist Voucher (Ваучер) — lists your personal details, dates of validity and the host company's details
Both documents carry an official stamp, director's signature and the accreditation number of the tour operator. At ivisastore.com, both documents are delivered together as a single PDF to your email — immediately after payment.
For German citizens applying at the consulates in Berlin or Bonn, a printed colour copy of the invitation is accepted — you do not need to send the original by post.
Good to know
Our invitations are issued by Visa Service LLC, accreditation number RTO 015681. They are accepted by the Russian consulates in Berlin and Bonn without exception.
3. Russian visa types for German citizens
| Visa type | Entries | Max stay | Invitation needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-visa | Single | 30 days | No |
| Tourist visa — Single | 1 | 30 days | Yes |
| Tourist visa — Double | 2 | 90 days | Yes |
| Tourist visa — Multiple | Unlimited | 90/180 days | Yes |
| Business visa | 1–unlimited | Up to 5 years | Yes (different type) |
For tourism purposes, the most popular option among German travellers is the single-entry tourist visa for a first trip, or the double-entry visa for those planning to visit a neighbouring country and return to Russia. Frequent travellers choose the multiple-entry visa.
4. Required documents for a Russian tourist visa
When applying at a Russian consulate in Germany, you will need:
- Valid passport — biometric, valid for at least 6 months after the end of your trip, with at least 2 blank pages. Note: since January 2026, only biometric passports are accepted for Russian visa applications in Germany.
- Tourist invitation letter — get yours at ivisastore.com in 5 minutes
- Completed visa application form — filled out online at visa.kdmid.ru, printed and signed
- Passport photo — 35×45mm, colour, white background, recent
- Travel insurance — minimum €30,000 coverage, valid in Russia
- Consular fee receipt — €35 standard or €70 express
Important — 2026 update
From 1 January 2026, only biometric Russian passports (10-year validity) are accepted for German visa applications. Non-biometric 5-year passports can no longer be used. This rule applies to Russian citizens applying for German visas — not to German citizens applying for Russian visas.
5. Russian consulates in Germany
Following diplomatic changes in 2023–2024, only two Russian consular offices remain open in Germany:
LIN
Consular Section — Russian Embassy Berlin
Behrenstraße 66, 10117 Berlin
District: Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and others
+49 30 229-11-10 · germany.mid.ru
Mon–Fri: 9:00–13:00, 15:00–17:00
General Consulate in Bonn
Waldstraße 42 (Viktorshöhe), 53177 Bonn
District: Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and others
+49 228 312-075 · germany.mid.ru
Mon–Thu: 9:00–13:30, 14:30–17:00 · Fri: 9:00–13:00
ICH
General Consulate Munich Closed
Seidelstraße 28, 80335 München
Temporarily closed since 2023
BURG
General Consulate Hamburg Closed
Am Feenteich 20, 22085 Hamburg
Temporarily closed since 2023
Check your district before visiting
Each consulate serves specific federal states. If you live in Bavaria or North Rhine-Westphalia, you must apply in Bonn. If you live in Berlin or Hamburg, you apply in Berlin. Applying at the wrong consulate may result in your application being refused.
6. Step-by-step: how to get your Russian visa from Germany
Get your invitation online
Go to ivisastore.com/invitation, fill in your passport details and travel dates, pay online. Your invitation PDF arrives by email in 5 minutes.
Complete the visa application form
Fill out your application at visa.kdmid.ru. Use the dates from your invitation exactly as shown. Print the completed form and sign it by hand.
Prepare all documents
Gather your biometric passport, printed invitation, signed application form, passport photo, travel insurance and consular fee. Check that all dates match across documents.
Submit at the consulate
Book an appointment at the Russian consulate in Berlin or Bonn (depending on your federal state). Submit your documents and pay the consular fee — €35 standard, €70 express.
Collect your visa
Standard processing takes 10–20 working days. Express takes 3 working days. Once ready, collect your passport — and check all visa details immediately upon receipt.
7. Cost and processing time
| Item | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist invitation (ivisastore.com) | from €42 | 5 minutes — to email |
| Consular fee — standard | €35 | 10–20 working days |
| Consular fee — express | €70 | 3 working days |
| Travel insurance | from €1/day | Instant online |
Tip
Apply at least 3–4 weeks before your trip. Start with the invitation — you need its details to complete the visa application form correctly.
8. Frequently asked questions
Do I need to send the original invitation by post to the consulate?
No. The Russian consulates in Berlin and Bonn accept a printed colour copy of the invitation. There is no need to send an original by post. Simply print the PDF you receive by email and bring it to your appointment.
Can I use the Russian e-visa instead of a tourist visa?
Yes, if you only plan to stay up to 30 days and enter through a designated border crossing. The e-visa is processed entirely online and does not require an invitation letter. However, it cannot be used for multiple entries or stays longer than 30 days.
Which consulate should I apply to — Berlin or Bonn?
It depends on which federal state you live in. Berlin serves Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Thuringia and Schleswig-Holstein. Bonn serves Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.
What if I made a mistake in my invitation details?
Contact us at support@ivisastore.com with the correct information. We will correct and resend your invitation free of charge, usually within the same working day.
How far in advance should I apply for the visa?
You can apply up to 90 days before your travel date. With standard processing taking up to 20 working days, we recommend starting the process at least 4–6 weeks before your trip.
Ready to get your invitation?
5 minutes · from €42 · PDF to your email · Accepted in Berlin & Bonn
Summary
- German citizens need a tourist invitation for a traditional Russian tourist visa
- The e-visa (up to 30 days) does not require an invitation
- Get your invitation online in 5 minutes at ivisastore.com — from €42
- Only two consulates are open in Germany: Berlin and Bonn
- Apply to the consulate serving your federal state
- Standard processing: 10–20 working days · Express: 3 working days
- Only biometric passports accepted from January 2026