Europe

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

 

• We advise against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan because of the security situation in the North Caucasus.
  

• Politically motivated demonstrations will take place in Moscow and other places across Russia on 4 February. See Safety and Security - Political Situation.
  

• We advise against all travel to the districts of east and south Stavropol Krai which border Dagestan and Chechnya, namely Budyonnovsky, Levokumsky, Neftekumsky, Stepnovsky and Kursky.
  
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area).
  
  
• There is a high level of threat from terrorism. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Attacks have occurred most frequently in Moscow and in the North Caucasus.
  
  
• In the first half of 2011 a total of 85,807 British nationals entered Russia. (Source: Russian Federal Agency for Tourism). Most visits are trouble-free. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics. You should be aware of the risks of crime. See Safety and Security - Crime.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a high threat from terrorism. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

In Moscow, terrorist groups have carried out suicide attacks in public places, including against the Metro system and airports. The risk of terrorism in Moscow could rise quickly in relation to any escalation of violence in the North Caucasus. Recent examples of incidents in Russia include:

• On 22 September 2011, a policeman was killed and over 60 people were injured in a bomb attack in Makhachkala, Dagestan.
  
  
• On 30 August 2011, at least eight people were killed and 22 injured in three bomb attacks aimed at law enforcement personnel in Grozny, Chechnya.
  
  
• On the weekend of 18-20 February 2011, a number of suspected terrorist attacks took place in Kabardino-Balkaria, including the area around Mount Elbrus. In one of these incidents, militants dressed as police officers shot dead three Russian tourists, while in another a cable car pylon was destroyed by an explosive device.
  
  
• On 24 January 2011 a bomb exploded in the arrivals hall at Domodedovo airport in Moscow. Over 30 people, including a British citizen, were killed and over 100 injured.
  
  
• On 19 October 2010 armed militants attacked the Chechen Parliament building in Grozny killing six people and injuring at least 17.
  
  
• On 9 September 2010 a suicide bomber drove a car into Vladikavkaz market square in Russia’s North Caucasus republic of North Ossetia. At least 15 people were killed and over 90 people injured.
  
  
• On 29 March 2010 two suicide bombings occurred on the Moscow metro. Official reports stated that 39 people died and that many more were injured.
  

You should remain vigilant in all public places, including tourist sites and crowded places, particularly where access is not controlled such as open-air events and markets.

We advise against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan because of the security situation in the North Caucasus. This also includes the areas of east and south Stavropol Krai which border Chechnya and Dagestan, namely Budyonnovsky, Levokumsky, Neftekumsky, Stepnovsky and Kursky.  We also advise against all but essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area). Terrorism and kidnapping in these regions are a serious risk.

As well as an ongoing risk of insurgent attacks across the region, terrorist attacks have occurred throughout the North Caucasus, including incidents in Beslan and Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia, Nalchik, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, Nazran in Ingushetia, and Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan. Further violence in the North Caucasus region is likely.

Mount Elbrus in Kabardino-Balkaria has become an increasingly popular destination for adventure travellers. On 20 February 2011, Russian authorities imposed a counter-terrorist regime in the Elbrus and Baksan districts following the murders of three Russian tourists. The regime and ban on tourists was lifted on 5 November 2011.

The ability of British Embassy officials to offer consular assistance to British citizens who travel to the North Caucasus is extremely limited due to the security situation. You are also unlikely to be able to obtain travel insurance cover. If you need to travel to the region, you should discuss security with your travel operator.

There is a long history of kidnapping in the region and westerners are particularly vulnerable. The long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers as paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of hostage taking. See our Terrorism Abroad page. 

Safety and Security - Crime
The vast majority of visits made to Russia by British nationals are trouble-free. But petty crime does happen in cities. Be alert at all times to the possibility of mugging, pick pocketing and theft from vehicles or hotel rooms and to groups of women and children who beg. Pay attention when drinking alcohol. Drink-spiking followed by robbery does happen and can also lead to violence and/or abuse. Unconscious victims are often left outside, which can be life threatening in the winter months. Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times to make sure they are not spiked. In St Petersburg there have been reports of street crime where tourists have been specifically targeted. These crimes are carried out by well-organised gangs. Be aware of pickpockets in the main tourist areas and around the main railway concourses. Incidents of bogus police officers harassing and robbing tourists have also been reported. If you are stopped always insist on seeing identification before providing further information. Avoid openly carrying expensive items, or anything that might easily identify you as a tourist. Avoid walking about late at night alone. Incidents of armed violence in major cities are usually linked to criminal/business activities and are not usually directed against foreign visitors. There have also been bomb attacks linked to criminal disputes.

There has been an increase in the number of British passports reported stolen or lost from British nationals when in the airports in Moscow.  Be particularly vigilant when passing through the airports, particularly in the baggage collection area and outside the arrivals hall.

Safety and Security - Crime - Racially Motivated Attacks
Racially motivated attacks do occur: visitors of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent should take extra care.

Racially motivated attacks do occur in Russia. They tend to increase around 20 April, the anniversary of Adolf Hitler’s birthday. Although the great majority of visitors experience no difficulties, there has been a substantial increase in the number of attacks on foreign nationals, especially in large urban areas. Travellers of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent should take extra care.

Far-Right Protests in Manezhnaya Square in Moscow on 11 December 2010 turned violent and there were reports that passers-by who appeared to be from Central Asia or the Caucasus region were attacked in the square and in nearby metro stations. You should avoid any area where large scale protests are planned or taking place.

See our Victims of Crime Abroad page. 

Safety and Security - Local Travel
We advise against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan. This also includes the areas of east and south Stavropol Krai, which border Chechnya and Dagestan, namely Budyonnovsky, Levokumsky, Neftekumsky, Stepnovsky and Kursky.  We also advise against all but essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area) (see Terrorism above). Short-term travel restrictions are periodically applied in parts of the North Caucasus region in relation to ongoing security operations. These are usually publicised, if at all, at very short notice.

The North Caucasus remains an unstable and potentially dangerous region. The Russian authorities take a particularly strict attitude towards security and compliance with official regulations.  If you intend to travel there you must have the correct documents including the right visa for the purpose of your visit, and meet registration requirements. If you travel to these parts of Russia despite this advice, you are taking a serious risk, and must accept that the ability of the FCO and the British Embassy in Moscow to help in the case of an emergency is severely limited. Cross-border traffic with Georgia and Azerbaijan is also subject to restrictions. 

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
You may drive a car in Russia on your UK Driving licence, although we recommend that you also obtain a notarised Russian translation of your UK Driving licence. If you hold a Russian driving licence, this will only be renewed in line with the term of your residency, for example, if you have a three months visa, your Russian driving licence will be renewed for three months.

In order to drive a vehicle into Russia you will need to provide the following documents:

- Car registration
- Valid insurance document
- Your driving license
- Passport

The vehicle will need to be declared with the customs authority at the port of entry into the Russian Federation. Vehicles can be brought into the Russian Federation without the payment of import taxes for a maximum period of one year.

Please contact the Russian Embassy in London if you have more detailed questions about bringing a vehicle in to the country. The British Embassy is unable to offer any assistance to individuals attempting to bring vehicles into the Russian Federation who do not have the correct documentation on arrival at the border.

Road conditions can often be poor, especially outside the major cities. You should comply with all local speed limits. The standard speed limit for built-up areas is 60kph (37mph), outside built-up areas 90kph (55mph) and 100kph (62mph) on motorways (Brest-Moscow). Visiting motorists who have held a driving licence for less than two years must not exceed 70kph (43mph). It is common practice for traffic police to stop motorists for spot checks. There is a zero tolerance policy towards drink-driving.

Official looking taxis can be unlicensed. Do not share a taxi with strangers or flag down what may appear to be an official taxi. Where possible ask your hotel to get a taxi for you, or request the telephone number of a reputable taxi company. You should negotiate a price before getting into the taxi.

See our Driving Abroad page. 

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Rail Travel
If you are travelling by overnight train in a sleeping compartment, store valuables in the container under the bed or seat. Do not leave your sleeping compartment unoccupied as some compartments only have a simple lock on the sliding door. On some trains there may be an additional security device, which can be attached to the fitted handle/lock unit. There may also be a steel switch at head-height on the door panel which, when pulled down, prevents the closed door from being slid open.

When travelling by train do not agree to look after the luggage of a fellow traveller or allow it to be stored in your compartment.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel
Following an explosion on 24 January 2011 just outside the arrivals hall at Domodedovo airport you should allow extra time to enter all airports in Russia as security measures have been increased.

International travellers transiting through Moscow should be aware that British nationals require a visa to enter the Russian Federation, and are advised to consult their airlines on what arrangements they will make if disruption to a flight occurs.

Evidence suggests that some non-western types of aircraft  - used mainly on domestic routes by smaller airlines in Russia - do not always comply with international safety standards.  On 7 September the latest in a series of air disasters in Russia killed 36 players and officials from the Lokomotiv Ice Hockey Team near the central city of Yaroslavl, as well as seven crew members.  Russia’s air transport agency watch dog Rosaciatsia has started a crackdown on domestic carriers.

In September 2008 a Boeing-737 Aeroflot Nord flight from Moscow crashed as it came in to land at Perm with the loss of 88 lives. The final investigation report concluded that pilot error was the main cause of the crash.

Safety and Security - Local Travel – Cruise Ships
During 2010 around 68,000 British Nationals visited Russia on sea cruise ships organised by foreign tour companies. Also popular with British Nationals are Volga river cruises between St Petersburg and Moscow. It is always advisable to use recognised cruise operators with established safety records.

In July 2011, more than 100 local people died when an ageing and overloaded cruise ship sank during a storm on the Volga River, 450 miles east of Moscow in the Republic of Tatarstan.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Russia Country Profile

Presidential elections are scheduled to take place in Russia  on 4 March 2012.  Politically motivated rallies are occurring in Moscow and other places across Russia in this period.  On 4 February 2012 large rallies will take place in the Yakimanka, Bolotnaya Square and Poklonnaya Hill areas of Moscow, and in the Konyushennaya Square area of St Petersburg. Smaller rallies may also take place in other areas of Moscow and Russian cities. You should check media for the latest information, remain vigilant, and avoid any demonstrations

Do not become involved with drugs. Long sentences are given for those in possession of even small quantities of drugs, regardless of whether they are "hard" or "soft"

You must carry your original passport at all times in the Russian Federation. A copy will not be sufficient. If you cannot produce your passport when asked, you will be fined. The Russian immigration service usually retains copies of visiting cruise passengers passports for immigration purposes for 6-12 months.

Homosexuality is legal in Russia and there is a reasonably tolerant attitude to homosexuality in major urban areas. However, be careful about public displays of affection as there is still a degree of intolerance amongst some sections of the population. 

The photographing of any military installation, establishment or site of strategic importance (including airports) is banned. You are likely to have your film confiscated, be detained for questioning and possibly arrested if you do not observe this rule.

See our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
Visas are required to enter Russia. During periods of high demand, you should apply for your visa well in advance. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland you should apply to the Russian Federation's visa processing centre VF Services, 15-27 Gee Street, London, EC1V 3RD. Tel: 020 7499 1029; fax: 020 7229 3215; website: http://www.rusemb.org.uk. You should apply to the Russian visa application centre for Edinburgh and London:  http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/allaboutyourvisas.html.

VF Services can normally process visas in five working days. The forms must be completed online, and can either be submitted by post or in person. If you want to get a visa more quickly it is possible to pay extra for a next-day service. You must have a current up to date visa to leave Russia. Before you travel to Russia ensure that you are aware of the terms and conditions attached to your visa, for both entry and exit, and check that the dates and details which have been entered on your visa are correct. Presenting documentation which contains incorrect information to immigration officials can in some cases result in refusal of entry. 

Entry Requirements - Visas - For stays of more than seven days
You must register your stay with the local branch of the Federal Migration Service within seven working days of arrival in Russia. Most major hotels will do this automatically. If you are staying in private accommodation the owner of the property must do this for you. You need not register a visa if your visit is for less than seven days.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity 
You must hold a valid passport to enter Russia. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of three months after the expiry date of the visa that is being used to enter Russia. If this is not the case you risk being refused entry.

Entry Requirements - Migration Cards
All foreign nationals entering Russia must sign a migration card, which is produced electronically at passport control in the major airports. Provincial airports may still require you to complete the migration card manually. The card is in two identical parts. One part will be retained by the Immigration Officer on arrival. You should keep the other part with your passport; you will need it when you depart Russia and if you are stopped by the police for an ID check during your stay. There are many hotels and hostels that will not check in guests if they do not have the stamped white immigration card with them. You must complete a new migration card each time you enter Russia, even if you have a multiple entry visa. If you lose the second part of the card you will be fined, and your departure from the country could be delayed.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the http://www.rusemb.org.uk in London. Parents should note that children born overseas and added to their Russian passports by Russian Embassies may now have to obtain their own passport to exit Russia. There have been instances where a parent has renewed their own passport but the authorities have refused to add the child to it until the child's claim to Russian citizenship is properly substantiated. Parents should check the Russian Nationality Act and contact their nearest Russian Embassy or Consulate to ensure that their child has a claim to Russian citizenship, and that they have the necessary paperwork to prove this before travelling to Russia to renew passports.

Entry Requirements - Transit through Belarus
If you intend to travel by train on popular routes such as Warsaw-Moscow or St Petersburg-Kiev you need to get a transit visa for Belarus before travelling.

Entry Requirements - Dual Nationality
Under international law, the British Embassy or Consulates cannot formally intervene with the Russian authorities on behalf of dual Russian/British nationals who encounter difficulties whilst in Russia.

If you come to Russia to renew your Russian international passport, it may take up to four months for a new passport to be issued. You will not be able to leave Russia on your British passport if you entered Russia on your Russian passport, and will therefore have to remain in Russia until your new Russian passport is issued.

Entry Requirements - Customs
You may import up to 10,000 US dollars (or equivalent) into the country without declaring it. You may export from the country up to 3,000 US dollars without declaring it. If you export from the country currency or travellers cheques worth between 3,000 and 10,000 US dollars, it must be declared on departure. There is a limit of the equivalent of 10,000 US dollars on the amount of roubles and foreign currency that can be brought into or taken out of Russia.

If you import into the country over 10,000 US dollars or certain categories of goods, such as more costly electrical items, jewellery, antiques and valuable musical instruments, you must complete a customs declaration form (available at all ports of entry) on arrival.

If you wish to import certain advanced electronic items (e.g. Global Positioning System instruments), you must get an operating licence from the Russian authorities before you travel. If you are unsure whether you should declare an item or need an operating licence you should check with the Embassy of the Russian Federation before your departure.

If you complete a declaration form you must ensure that it is stamped by a Customs official at your port of entry or it will not be valid. If you fail to complete a declaration form on arrival or to get it validated by Customs officials your foreign currency and non-declared items may be confiscated when you leave Russia and you may be fined.

There are also strict regulations governing the export from Russia of antiques, icons, medals, artwork and other items of historical significance. This includes modern art and even posters if they are particularly rare or valuable. If you wish to export such material from Russia, you must receive approval from the Ministry of Culture, proof of which may be requested at the point of departure. Infringements of these regulations are treated seriously and may result in imprisonment.

See www.customs.ru.

A Reciprocal Health Care Agreement operates between the UK and Russia. This entitles British nationals to free treatment in a Russian hospital. However, any treatment you receive is likely to be limited.

Food poisoning, TB, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis occur in Russia. Travellers to, and residents of, the Moscow region should be aware of the increase in notified rabies cases (see the NaTHNaC website for more information). Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in rural and wooded areas in the summer months.

It is advisable not to drink tap water anywhere in Russia. You should seek advice locally and if in any doubt drink bottled water.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Russia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 96,000 adults aged 15 or over in the Russian Federation were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 1.0% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see our HIV and AIDS page.

See our Travel Health page.

There are occasional occurrences of flooding in Russia, mainly in southern regions, and of forest fires, mainly in the far eastern areas and Siberia. Earthquakes are not uncommon in Russia and small tremors are recorded throughout the year without consequences. The last significant earthquake occurred in Kamchatka in February 2011, but there were no casualties or significant damage.

Independent advice on how to prepare for an earthquake and how to protect yourself during an earthquake or tremor is available from many sources online. For further information please see the Embassy website.

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling and ensure that your policy covers you for all the activities that you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

See our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Money
Most major high street banks and currency exchange providers can pre-order Roubles (Russian currency), which may take up to two working days. If you wish to purchase roubles in Russia, you should take US dollars or Euros to change. However, it is illegal to pay directly for general transactions with dollars or Euros.  Only change money at banks, hotels and airport exchange bureaus. The Russian Central Bank closed all other exchange bureaus on 1 October 2010. It is an offence to change money from street traders.

Most hotels, restaurants and larger shops accept credit cards, but smaller shops do not. ATMs exist in most major cities. Consider informing your bank before you travel to Russia to avoid having a temporary stop being put on your card. Travellers' cheques are not widely accepted.

General - Money - Scams
Negotiate a price before getting into a taxi. Some drivers claim to be official by producing a card showing the name and contact details of a reputable  company, and suggesting the customer can telephone if they do not receive proper service. The taxi driver will then charge an extortionate fare.

There are services offering addresses and contact information for Russian women who are looking to become romantically involved with Western Europeans. A number of prospective suitors have entered into correspondence, only to be defrauded. If this happens, there is little that the British Government can do to assist in the recovery of any money. You should exercise caution if entering into correspondence. See our Victims of Crime Abroad page.  

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
Most visits are trouble-free. In Russia in the period 1 January – 14 November 2011 consular assistance was provided for 31 hospitalisations, 5 deaths, 3 arrests and 56 lost or stolen passports.