How to travel to Europe by car now: border crossing rules, documents

Rules for crossing the Russian border in connection with coronavirus in 2021

1. By the beginning of 2021, Russia resumed international flights with several countries. Citizens of these countries are allowed to fly to Russia without restrictions, observing the permitted periods of stay and stay on the territory of the Russian Federation. They can fly to Russia without restrictions only by air.
2. Incoming foreigners will need to provide a PCR test (certificate) confirming the absence of coronavirus, which must be done no later than 72 hours before arrival and entry into Russia. Tests must be submitted no later than 72 hours. The certificate must be in English or translated into Russian. The official text of the resolution, which became effective on August 1, 2021, can be found on the official website of Rospotrebnadzor of Russia.
3. Foreign citizens when crossing the Russian border need to fill out a passenger declaration of health status in connection with COVID-19 for public health purposes. It can be downloaded from airline websites in advance or filled out on board the plane before arriving in Russia. The application form, for example, is on the official website of the Belarusian company Belavia.
4. Entry permits for citizens of these countries only apply to air borders; they are allowed to arrive by plane. Russia's land borders remain closed to ordinary tourists.
5. Citizens who are not included in the list of permitted countries with which Russia has resumed international flights can come only in special cases: treatment, caring for relatives, some highly qualified work specialists, professional athletes to participate in competitions, persons for diplomatic purposes.

For any specific questions about the possibility of permission to enter Russia, you should contact the Border Service of the Russian Federation or the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

List of countries with which international flights from Russia have been resumed

Full list of countries with which Russia has resumed international flights to date in 2021:

• Türkiye,
• Tanzania,
• Great Britain,
• Switzerland,
• UAE,
• Maldives,
• Egypt,
• Belarus,
• Kazakhstan,
• Kyrgyzstan,
• South Korea,
• Japan,
• Cuba,
• Serbia,
• Seychelles Islands,
• Ethiopia,
• Finland,
• India,
• Vietnam,
• Singapore,
• Sri Lanka,
• Germany,
• Syria,
• Qatar,
• Azerbaijan,
• Tajikistan,
• Venezuela,
• Portugal,
• Greece,
• Iceland,
• Saudi Arabia,
• Malta,
• Lebanon,
• Morocco,
• Mauritius,
• Austria,
• Hungary,
• Croatia,
• Albania,
• Luxembourg.

Taking a PCR test for foreign citizens before flying to Russia

1. Foreign citizens need to do a PCR test in advance and must obtain a certificate before flying to Russia; the official text of this rule can be found on the government website https://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001202007310061. Without negative test results for COVID-19, foreign passengers will not be able to fly to Russia.
2. The certificate must be in English or Russian; translation into Russian can be done.
3. Only Russians returning to the country are allowed to take a PCR test for coronavirus at the airport; foreigners do not have this opportunity.

Russian official authorities have repeatedly voiced information that these temporary entry restrictions apply only for the duration of the pandemic. Then the rules for crossing the border will be the same as they were before for each country.

Which countries can you travel to by car through Ukraine?

After successfully entering the territory of Ukraine, you can go to Croatia and Serbia. Today, Russian citizens can enter these areas without any restrictions.

To enter these countries, you must have a negative PCR test result for coronavirus.

Driving on the Ukraine-Hungary border in your own car

You are allowed to enter other countries through Hungary. After passing control, you must purchase a special sign (vignette) to travel on toll roads.

You are allowed to stay in transit in Hungary for no more than 24 hours.

How to travel to Russia for CIS citizens in normal times

To enter the territory of the Russian Federation freely, you need to have the required set of documents. Citizens of some countries can enter the Russian Federation by presenting only a passport, while other foreigners require a visa to enter Russia.

A special topic in this aspect is Russian-Ukrainian relations.

An important point for citizens of the countries of the former Soviet Union, which are currently united in the CIS, is the question of whether their state is part of the EAEU Customs Union.

The fact is that crossing the Russian border is somewhat easier for those registered on the territory of the EAEU than for those who live outside its territory.

The alliance with Russia regarding simplified customs rules includes:

• Belarus,
• Kazakhstan,
• Kyrgyzstan,
• Armenia.

There are no special requirements for citizens of these states. For them, crossing the border of the Russian Federation is possible with an internal passport, which must be presented at customs control.

As for the rest of the CIS countries, the conditions for travel to the Russian Federation for their citizens have become more stringent. Now they are required to present a foreign passport at the control.

Kazakh international passport

All foreigners entitled to visa-free stay in the Russian Federation in 2021 must fill out a migration card when crossing its border. According to this document, they can stay on the territory of Russia without registering with the Main Directorate for Migration for Three months (90 days). Then they must return to their homeland for the same period.

In total, citizens of visa-free countries are allowed to stay in the Russian Federation for no more than 180 days a year. Half of the term is for the first six months, half for the second.

If you want to stay for more than three months, you will need to contact the Main Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and register.

Is it possible to enter Belarus by car in 2021?

Changes have been made to the rules for crossing the border between Russia and Belarus. Now Russian citizens who have a residence permit in Belarus or own real estate in this country have the right to multiple entries. Previously, it was allowed to leave Russia in a personal car only once.

For those citizens who do not have a residence permit or property, entry by car is prohibited.

The exceptions are:

• Close relatives of citizens of Belarus;
• Students studying at universities in the country;
• Citizens going for treatment to sanatoriums in Belarus.

Are Schengen visas currently issued: list of countries

Ukrainians crossing the Russian border

There is a lot of talk now that Russia and Ukraine are tightening requirements for citizens traveling through their borders. In fact, the procedure for Ukrainians crossing the Russian border has not changed. As before, citizens of the Ukrainian state, when entering the Russian Federation, must present only their internal passport.

Ukrainians can stay in Russia, like everyone else, for no more than 90 days. This rule does not apply to those who have received refugee status.

The new border crossing rules apply to the employment of citizens of neighboring territories. In 2021, Ukrainians wishing to find work in the Russian Federation must obtain permission.

To get a job, Ukrainian citizens must present:

• passport;
• migration card;
• application for employment.

  Sample migration card to Russia

Employers who decide to hire a citizen of Ukraine are required to send a notice of this by regular or email to the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Recently, all Ukrainians applying for a job undergo a thorough check. It lasts about 10 days. If a refusal comes, it must be given reasons.

Russia does not cancel the entry of foreign citizens

The Russian authorities are taking various measures to reduce the risk of infection, but there is no such action as closing borders with a number of countries and is not planned.

On the contrary, previously closed countries are opening up, connections with which have long been awaited by tourists planning to relax in the summer.

According to the decision of the Operational Headquarters under the Government of the Russian Federation, from June 28, 2021, the list of countries with which direct passenger traffic is permitted has increased. The list of added permitted places includes:

• Belgium;
• Jordan;
• USA;
• Bulgaria;
• Italy;
• North Macedonia;
• Cyprus;
• Ireland.

The list is not final. There are plans to open Guatemala and a number of other countries.

If Russians go to Ukraine

Ukraine is not so loyal to Russian citizens. There has long been talk that citizens of the Russian Federation will be able to enter the territory of Ukraine only in accordance with a visa received at the country’s consulate.

Visa to Ukraine

But even though the rules have become stricter, Russians do not need a visa to Ukraine. To cross the cordon in that direction, you need to present a foreign passport. Children must be included in the documents of their parents or have their own travel document that allows them to cross the territories of states.

Other documents can serve as a substitute for a foreign passport. This:

1. Service passport.
2. Sailor's passport.
3. Diplomatic passport.
4. Flight certificate.

In addition to the foreign document, you must present the following:

1. Invitation to Ukraine. This could be a document sent by family or friends, a public or government organization;
2. Return ticket;
3. Sufficient amount of funds. It is necessary to calculate so that each person receives at least 2 thousand hryvnia per day.

These are the documents required to enter Ukrainian territory, which must be prepared in advance. You will also need to fill out a standard migration card at border control. A stamp will be affixed to the international passport, from the date of which the countdown will begin.

Sample invitation form to Ukraine

If children are crossing the border, permission to transport them is required only if they are traveling with third parties or independently. A child traveling with one parent does not need to obtain permission from the other. Crossing the border is impossible if one of the parents has submitted a request to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a ban on the child’s departure. The restriction is lifted through the court.

If you need to stay in the country for more than 90 days, you must apply for a permit.

Male citizens aged 16 to 60 years old, registered in the territory of Sevastopol or Crimea, will be denied entry into the territory of Ukraine. A prejudiced attitude when crossing the cordon awaits other men who fall within these age limits.

Entry into Ukraine for transit to Europe in 2021

It is possible to enter the territory of Ukraine for further travel to third countries only under certain conditions.

Persons crossing land borders must provide proof of transit to another destination country. This is a Schengen visa type C, as well as confirmation of payment for booking accommodation in the countries of final stay.

In addition, the citizen should not have a ban on entry into the territory of Ukraine that was issued earlier.

In the comments to the article “How to get to Ukraine during quarantine in May 2021” you can read real reviews and questions from readers about crossing the Ukrainian border.

Illegal crossing of the border of the Russian Federation

Every citizen is obliged to know what the state border is and what is included in the concept of “illegal crossing.”

A border is a line that divides countries politically and geographically. It is prohibited to cross it without permission. Moreover, in the Russian Federation the border is guarded on all sides, including water, underwater and air space. In addition to the main line, there is a border area limited to several hundred meters, the presence of which also requires permission.

You should know that illegally crossing the Russian border is a criminal offense.

For Russians, it can result in two years in prison or a large fine - up to 200 thousand rubles. If a foreigner violates the border, he will have to pay up to 300 thousand rubles. In addition, he faces a prison sentence of up to four years.

If there were actions of a group, organized nature, illegal crossing of state borders can result in up to six years in prison.

If you are planning to travel outside of Russia

When preparing to travel abroad, make sure that you are not one of those who are prohibited from traveling or whose travel is subject to certain restrictions. The first thing you need to check is whether you have any debt.

We are not talking about regularly repaid loans, but only about those that have long been overdue and have fallen into the jurisdiction of the judicial authorities. If you owe more than 30 thousand rubles, you will not be allowed to leave the country.

Restrictions also apply to:

• intelligence workers;
• military personnel undergoing alternative or military service;
• convicted criminals;
• persons under investigation;
• people who do not comply with court decisions;
• citizens admitted to the state. secrets.

If you are found to have provided false information while crossing the border, you will also not be allowed to leave the country.

Procedure for crossing the border of the Russian Federation by Russian citizens

In order to be allowed into one country, you must first be released from another - the one in which you are located. When in a border control area, strictly follow its rules, listen and do what you are told. To avoid delaying yourself and others, prepare your documents.

You need to open them on the required pages, check whether all the necessary signatures and photos are there. The covers of documents should be removed during inspection.

Males over 18 and under 27 years old, in addition to basic documents, must have a military ID. If it is not there, you can present a registration certificate.

If, instead of original documents, copies of them are provided, even if compiled in accordance with all the rules and notarized, the matter will not go as far as crossing the Russian border. You will be turned back.

During border control, minors must be accompanied by persons accompanying them. Adults present documents for children.

If all the documents are in order, but nevertheless, the border service does not give permission for your passage, you must be provided with a written justification. With this document, you can go to court and demand compensation for material and moral damage caused to you.