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Ministry of Foreign Affairs updates travel advisory for Russia

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

19.08.2025 | 10:49

In its travel advisory for Russia, which was updated on 18 August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to strongly advise against all travel to Russia. The new advisory highlights the specific risks that Estonian citizens travelling to Russia have actually been more exposed to.

"Recently, several cases have reached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Estonian Embassy in Moscow where Estonian citizens in Russia have come under pressure from local security authorities precisely because of their views," said Tiina Nirk, Director General of the Consular Department, commenting on the updated advisory. According to Nirk, this does not always mean that people loudly and openly express their negative attitude towards Russia's military action in Ukraine, and it is sometimes enough for the Russian authorities to find private correspondence on a person's mobile phone that does not align with Russia's official policy.

Nirk also wanted to remind people that the only Estonian representation in Russia is in Moscow and the number of representations of other European Union member states in Russia has also decreased significantly. Therefore, traveling to Moscow from another region of Russia for consular assistance can be extremely difficult and time- consuming and costly. Nirk stressed that recently our embassy in Moscow has observed that Russian authorities have started to take advantage of minor infringements, including migration-related offences, to pressure and blackmail Estonian citizens staying in Russia.

In the updated travel advisory, the Foreign Ministry strongly advises against all travel to Russia. Estonian citizens temporarily in Russia are advised to carefully reconsider the necessity of their stay. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also recommends that Estonian citizens return to Estonia as soon as possible.

Travelling to and staying in Russia is associated with serious risks. Among other things, Estonian citizens must take into account that:
• Russian authorities may require access to information on personal electronic devices. Views expressed in Russia or earlier, which do not align with official Russian positions, may lead to serious penalties, including imprisonment;
• foreign nationals detained on suspicion of committing offences may be pressured into entering the service of the Russian armed forces with the aim of being sent to war in Ukraine;
• In the case of Estonian-Russian dual citizens, Russia applies its own laws, and Estonia's ability to provide consular assistance is limited.

The updated travel advisory is available at the Reisi Targalt portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.