Money and EU sanctions

Blocked account, transfers, the EUR 100,000 deposit cap, cash and cars: what the sources say.

Proof of funds for the visa

• The Embassy in Moscow accepts proof of living costs only as a blocked account or a declaration of commitment; a Russian bank account is no longer accepted (national visa page).
• Amounts 2026: students €992 a month = €11,904 a year; Opportunity Card €1,091 a month. See Costs.
• Which blocked-account providers take customers who live in Russia, and how the first payment can reach them: not confirmed. Check the provider's own page and ask your bank whether the payment is permitted.

What the Federal Foreign Office says on payments

Its travel advice for Russia (auswaertiges-amt.de) says that cards common in Germany (Visa, Mastercard) and payment apps are currently not usable in Russia, that cash withdrawals with German cards and transfers to Russia are currently not possible, and that Regulation (EU) 833/2014 prohibits taking cash in an EU currency into Russia. Amounts from USD 10,000 must be declared; the export of such amounts is currently prohibited. An exception exists for personal use; the Foreign Office says it is read narrowly, and in practice this means a low to mid three-digit amount.

EU deposit cap (Article 5b)

Under Article 5b of Regulation (EU) 833/2014 (EUR-Lex), EU credit institutions may not accept deposits above €100,000 per bank from Russian nationals, residents of Russia and legal persons established in Russia. The exception (paragraph 2) covers nationals of EU and EEA states and Switzerland and holders of a temporary or permanent residence permit in these states; we could not check the wording against EUR-Lex here, so verify it there. How a bank applies this to a new student or Opportunity Card holder at account opening: ask the bank; the current consolidated text should be checked on EUR-Lex.

Bank transfers

EU sanctions exclude certain Russian banks from transactions with EU banks (including SWIFT). Which banks are on the list is set in the annexes of Regulation 833/2014 and changes; ask your bank whether yours is affected. Official overviews: Deutsche Bundesbank (financial sanctions) and BAFA (export controls).

Goods and cars

Import and export bans in the EU cover many goods. For vehicles with Russian registration, the EU Commission has published guidance on entry into the EU; its content and the customs rules for personal goods are not confirmed here. Ask German customs (Zoll) before you bring a car or valuable goods. The Foreign Office adds that EU motor insurance has not been recognised in Russia since 2023.