From October 2026, the Berlin Consular Section has extended reception time to its maximum level as demand rose after the announced closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn. Applicants in Germany face average waits of two months for passport matters and 1.5 months for citizenship matters, according to the section.

The Berlin Consular Section reports a two-month passport wait

According to the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Germany, the average wait for passport-related appointments in Berlin is two months. The average wait for citizenship matters is one and a half months. These are average waiting periods in the appointment queue, not individual appointment dates.

The section says it receives up to 230 applicants a day. From October 2026, it increased the duration of consular reception to the maximum level in response to higher demand following the announced closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn.

The October 2026 figures cover passports, citizenship and 22 off-site sessions

The reported figures differ by service, as shown below. The Consular Section says that 22 off-site consular sessions are planned for October, but its message does not name the cities, dates or available appointment places.

Applicants should check the Consular Section’s official announcements before relying on an off-site session. The message does not state document-processing times, so a place in the queue should not be treated as a forecast of when a passport or other document will be issued.

Electronic-queue participants should check appointment emails

The Consular Section asks people registered in the electronic queue, meaning its online appointment system, to monitor emails sent by that system. According to the section, when an appointment place becomes free, the system may offer an earlier booking.

Check the email address used for registration, including spam or junk folders, and act on any earlier-slot offer through the appointment system. The Consular Section does not describe a separate procedure for requesting an earlier place, so applicants should follow the instructions in the system notification.

Passport applicants may use Russia or another Russian consulate

According to the Consular Section, a passport may be arranged in Russia or through a Russian consulate in another country. This may be relevant for a person who cannot wait for a Berlin appointment or who will be in Russia or another country for other reasons.

Before making plans, check the requirements with the specific Russian consulate where you intend to apply. The Consular Section’s message does not state which nationalities, residence statuses, passport types, application methods or fees may apply at another consulate, so these points must be confirmed with that consulate or the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Citizenship and resettlement applications may be filed with MVD offices in Russia

The Consular Section says that citizenship applications and applications to participate in the state resettlement programme may be submitted in Russia through territorial offices of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, MVD of Russia. Territorial offices are the Ministry’s local and regional offices in Russia.

For notarial and pension-related documents, the section says applicants may arrange them in Russia or use a German notary. In the German-notary route, the message specifies an apostille, which is an official authentication for use abroad, and a Russian translation. Confirm with the receiving authority whether this route is suitable for the particular document before obtaining it.

FAQ

How long is the wait for a Russian passport appointment in Berlin?

According to the Berlin Consular Section, the average wait for passport-related matters is two months. The section reports this figure in October 2026 and does not present it as a guaranteed processing time.

Can I get an earlier consular appointment in Berlin?

The Consular Section says the electronic appointment system may offer an earlier place when one becomes available. Check the email address used for the queue registration, including spam folders.

Can I apply for a Russian passport outside Germany?

According to the Consular Section, a passport may be arranged in Russia or at a Russian consulate in another country. Confirm eligibility, documents, fees and the application method with the specific consulate before travelling.

Can I submit a citizenship application in Russia instead of Berlin?

Yes. The Consular Section says citizenship and state resettlement programme applications may be filed through territorial offices of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, MVD of Russia.

What to check - Check emails from the electronic appointment system, including spam folders, for an offer of an earlier slot.

  • Compare the average queue times: two months for passport matters and one and a half months for citizenship matters, according to the Berlin Consular Section.
  • Check official Consular Section announcements for the dates, cities and availability of the 22 planned October off-site sessions.
  • If considering another country, confirm passport application rules directly with the chosen Russian consulate before travelling.
  • For a citizenship or resettlement application in Russia, ask the relevant territorial office of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, MVD of Russia, about the filing procedure.
  • Before using a German notary, confirm whether an apostille and Russian translation are appropriate for your specific notarial or pension-related document.