Russia Issued Almost 160,000 Visas to EU Citizens in 2023, Germany Tops the List

According to data from the Russian Foreign Ministry, the total number of visas issued in 2023 was 158,972, which is slightly higher than in 2022 (0.7 per cent increase) but 37.7 per cent less than visas issued in 2021, before the Russian military attack on Ukraine was recorded, AtoZSerwisPlus reports.

In line with relations with the EU, Russian authorities have gradually reduced the number of visas issued to nationals of these countries, with the data suggesting that the number of visas issued in 2023 compared to 2019, before the war and the COVID-19 pandemic, has plummeted by 90.5 per cent. In 2019, 1.6 million Russian visas were issued to EU nationals.

Major Changes in Top Visa Recipients Due to War in Ukraine

Germany has been the undisputed top recipient country of Russian visas throughout the years, regardless of major drops in visas issued throughout the last years.

However, the top five recipients of Russian visas have changed drastically.  Germany, France, Italy, and Finland were always the top four countries, while Spain and Poland often competed for the fifth position.

In 2019, Germany, France, Italy, Finland and Spain received almost 950,000 Russian visas, representing more than half of all visas issued (56.4 per cent).

More or less, these remained the top recipient countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, although at considerably lower rates.

In 2022 and 2023, after the war in Ukraine started and sanctions were imposed on Russia, the number of Russian visas issued to EU nationals also changed and top recipient countries were no longer the top five economies.

Baltic Countries Become Main Recipients of Russian Visas

According to the data, Latvia was the second country after Germany to receive most Russian visas in 2023 – a total of 20,902, followed by Estonia (11,340), Lithuania (10,063) and Italy (10,031). These countries represented 70 per cent of all EU countries that received the most Russian visas for the year.

Croatia has received the lowest number of Russian visas in 2023 – 48 while this list is further concluded with other countries that are lightly populated such as Iceland (70), Malta (194), Luxembourg (330) and Ireland (422).

In total, the number of Russian visas to EU nationals recorded between 2015 and 2023 has reached over eight million.

About AtoZ Serwis Plus

AtoZ Serwis Plus is a reputable and well-known B2C immigration agency that has been providing specialised immigration services since 2009. With company registration offices in Poland, Portugal, Malta, Germany, and Romania and partner offices in various countries worldwide, it offers individualised immigration services to clients globally.

Supported by Polish attorneys and with company registration numbers Regon: 382604058, NIP: 5252780856, and KRS: 0000770916, AtoZ Serwis Plus Sp. z o.o. is a Polish Overseas Career Consultant and is considered one of the largest B2C immigration firms in Europe. It works closely with regulated and licensed immigration lawyers in its offices in Poland and Portugal.

AtoZ Serwis Plus has extensive experience managing international recruitment projects and specialises in providing staffing services. They assist individuals from countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and others in finding employment opportunities in Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Poland, Malta, Portugal, Germany, and other European countries.

Their services cater to individuals seeking professional growth and those looking to relocate permanently to Europe. AtoZ Serwis Plus charges reasonable fees for its services and offers flexible payment options.

Overall, AtoZ Serwis Plus aims to provide high-value immigration services, leveraging their expertise, international network, and partnerships to assist clients in achieving their career goals abroad.

For the Employer

Would you happen to need new employees? Our Immigration agency can assist you in finding the best candidates from various countries, including:

• CIS: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
• Southeast Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam.
• Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates 
• Africa: Nigeria, Algeria, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire,  Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Togo, Tunisia.
• EU and EEA: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

We take a personalised approach to each of our clients and ensure that we understand your specific needs and requirements for candidates before deciding on the cost of our services. It's a critical step in the recruitment process, and we ask that you fill in all the fields as thoroughly as possible to help us and the job applicants.

Are you looking to Hire? Let us help you find the perfect candidates!

Step 1: Fill out the employer's questionnaire. Please provide us with the necessary details about your job requirements and company. We'll use this information to customise our services for you.  Fill in the form.

Step 2: Choose the best offer. Once we receive your completed questionnaire, we'll prepare a tailored proposal for recruitment, employee leasing, or outsourcing services.

Step 3: Welcome your new employee. We'll utilise our extensive network and resources to find the ideal candidate for your business. Please don't worry; we'll ensure favourable conditions for you and the employee.

Take advantage of exceptional talent for your company. Complete the employer's questionnaire today, and let us handle your hiring needs.

For Job Seeker Registration 

If you'd like to find work opportunities in Europe, please complete the application form on our website. Once you have filled out all the necessary details, our team at AtoZ Serwis Plus will look over your application and contact you to give you more information. Don't hesitate to fill out the form and take the first step towards your new job.  Fill in the form.

Would you like some advice? So that you know, the information I've included here is for you to review. You'll always need to consult with your legal and tax advisor(s) and follow their guidance. AtoZ Serwis Plus cannot assist with legal or tax matters. The information presented is not specific to any particular company or workforce nor reflects how AtoZ Serwis Plus products are distributed in any jurisdiction. Instead, it is general. AtoZ Serwis Plus makes no representations or warranties regarding this information's accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. It shall not be liable for any losses from using or relying on it. Please be careful when using this information.

Disclaimer: atozserwisplus.de is a FREE visa database and marketplace for immigration experts. This page's content does not provide legal advice. Before applying, kindly consult an expert.