All about insurance for a visa to Russia

Ask ten travellers what the hardest part of a Russian visa is, and nine will say "the invitation letter". They're wrong. The invitation is paperwork. The thing that quietly kills applications is the insurance policy — one missing line, one vague word, and your file comes back across the counter with a polite shrug.

So let's fix that once and for all.

Do You Actually Need Insurance for a Russian Visa?

Russia applies the principle of reciprocity: if Russian citizens need a medical policy to get a visa to your country, you need one to get a visa to Russia.

In practice, insurance is mandatory for citizens of:

• all Schengen and EU countries (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Czechia, Greece and the rest);
• Ireland, Israel, Iran, China and several others.

Everyone else? Formally exempt — but I'd still call travelling to Russia uninsured a bad bet. Foreigners are not covered by the Russian public health system, and a few nights in a private Moscow clinic will cost you more than a business-class ticket home.

The same rule applies to the unified e-visa: the application form asks for your insurer's name, policy number and validity dates. Leave it blank when you're not exempt, and the system may simply refuse you.

The Consulate's Checklist: 8 Requirements

Think of the policy as a passport for your health — every field has to match, or it isn't accepted.

1. Sum insured: at least €30,000 (or the equivalent). Some consulates ask for €35,000.
2. Territory of validity: "Russian Federation" or "Worldwide". "Europe" is not enough — Russia sits on two continents, and a consular officer will notice.
3. Full validity period — every single day of the visa or the stay, not just the first week.
4. Full name spelled exactly as in the passport (and identical to the e-visa data).
5. Policy number and issue date.
6. Coverage list: emergency medical care, hospitalisation, outpatient and inpatient treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation.
7. Language: Russian or English only.
8. Insurer's stamp and signature. A printed electronic policy with a facsimile signature is accepted.

If your policy comes from a foreign insurer, it must also name a partner assistance company operating inside Russia. Since 2022 most Western insurers exclude Russia altogether — check the exclusions before you pay.

E-Visa vs Consular Visa: What Changes?

How Much Does It Cost?

Less than dinner for two, honestly. Price depends on four things:

• Age — children under 7 and travellers over 70 pay more;
• Length of stay — the longer the trip, the cheaper one day becomes;
• Sum insured — €30,000 vs €50,000 vs €100,000;
• Extras — sports, dentistry, telemedicine, chronic conditions.

Travelling to Russia several times a year? An annual multi-policy with a chosen number of insured days (30, 60, 90, 180) usually beats buying separate policies each time.

5 Mistakes That Get Policies Rejected

1. Buying a "Europe" plan. Classic. Rejected on sight.
2. Covering the visa dates, not the stay — or the other way round.
3. A typo in the name. One letter off, and the document belongs to somebody else.
4. A Western policy with a Russia exclusion buried on page 14.
5. Buying after arrival. Impossible: no airport, port or border point sells it. Buy before you fly.

Where to Buy a Policy That Works

You want three things: a Russian insurer whose policies consulates already know, an English-language document, and delivery to your inbox within minutes.

That's exactly what our travel insurance for foreigners visiting Russia service does — compare several major Russian insurers, choose your dates and coverage, pay online and receive a visa-ready policy by e-mail.

FAQ

Is insurance mandatory for a Russian visa?
Yes for citizens of Schengen/EU states, Ireland, Israel, Iran, China and other countries applying the reciprocity rule; strongly recommended for everyone else.

What is the minimum coverage?
€30,000, valid throughout the Russian Federation for the whole duration of the trip.

Can I use my own insurer from home?
Only if the policy explicitly covers Russia and names an assistance partner in Russia. Most no longer do.

Do I need a new policy for a multiple-entry visa?
Usually the first trip is enough for the application — but you need valid cover for every subsequent entry.

How fast can I get one?
Minutes. It's the easiest part of the whole visa. Which is precisely why it's a shame to fail on it.