This change affects people who planned to use Russian consular or notarial services in Bonn, including foreign nationals travelling to Russia and Russian citizens or family members dealing with Russian documents. The announcement confirms the transfer of functions to Berlin, but does not explain appointments, pending applications, document collection or case-transfer procedures. Check the Russian Embassy in Germany’s official information before submitting papers or travelling to an appointment.

Bonn consulate closure: key dates and who is affected

Germany’s federal government has decided to close the Consulate General of Russia in Bonn on 18 September 2026. The office will no longer provide consular or notarial services in Bonn after its closure. A consular service is assistance provided by a diplomatic mission, such as processing certain applications or issuing and handling official documents. Notarial services involve official certification or authentication of documents and signatures where Russian procedures require it.

From 19 September 2026, the Russian Embassy in Berlin will continue the consular functions of the closing Bonn Consulate General. The change is relevant to anyone who expected to apply in Bonn, attend a booked appointment there, collect a document there or request a notarial act there. The published information does not state the final day on which applications will be accepted in Bonn or how existing files will be transferred.

What to do before submitting an application

Before preparing or filing any application, confirm the current place of service with the Russian Embassy in Germany through its official communications. Do not rely on an earlier appointment location or assume that a Bonn procedure will automatically be available in Berlin. The announcement does not specify the booking system, appointment-transfer rules, submission method or the address where particular services will be provided after the change.

Check which authority is responsible for the service you need and whether it is available at the Embassy in Berlin. If your matter concerns a Russian visa, invitation, passport, citizenship, civil-status record or document certification, requirements can differ by service. The closure notice does not list categories, required documents, fees, processing times, citizenship rules or country-of-application conditions. These points must be verified with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs where relevant, or the specific Russian consular office.

Travel and entry matters: what has not been announced

The closure announcement concerns where consular and notarial services are handled in Germany. It does not announce changes to Russian visa rules, electronic visa eligibility, invitation requirements, border documents or entry conditions. Travellers should therefore not treat the Bonn closure itself as confirmation that a visa application can be submitted in Berlin in the same way, or that any immigration requirement has changed.

Before entering Russia, check the official requirements applicable to your nationality and travel purpose. Where a visa is required, verify the correct visa category, the application location and the documents requested by the responsible Russian consular office. If you plan to use an electronic visa, confirm eligibility and the current application procedure with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The closure notice provides no information on these issues.

After arrival in Russia and pending Bonn cases

After arrival in Russia, foreign visitors may have immigration-related obligations, including migration registration where applicable. This announcement does not change or explain those obligations. Check the current rules with the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs or another official authority responsible for migration matters; do not assume that a consular office closure in Germany changes steps required after entry.

If you already submitted documents in Bonn, have an appointment, or are waiting to collect an issued document, seek updated instructions from the Russian Embassy in Germany before travelling. The available announcement does not say whether appointments will be moved, whether applications will be redirected, how documents will be issued, or whether additional action from applicants will be required. Until official instructions are published, avoid assuming that an unconfirmed arrangement will apply.

Что проверить

  • Check the date of your planned consular or notarial appointment.
  • Note that the Bonn Consulate General closes on 18 September 2026.
  • From 19 September 2026, verify service arrangements with the Russian Embassy in Berlin.
  • Confirm the appointment procedure, service location and document-submission method through the Embassy’s official communications.
  • If you have a pending Bonn application or document to collect, request instructions before travelling.
  • For visas, electronic visas, invitations, border documents and migration registration, check the relevant requirements separately with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs or the responsible consular office.
  • Do not assume that mobile or off-site consular sessions will be available; no dates or conditions for them have been provided.