Entry to the Russian Federation for UEFA EURO-2020

Please note that Decree 635-r temporarily restricting the issuance of entry documents, visas and travels is still valid and in force. It is therefore risky to purchase tickets for matches and travels to the Russian Federation before decrees are issued to allow doing so as for now it is likely that foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter the Russian Federation.

According to Alexey Sorokin, director of the committee organizing the Russian part of EURO-2020, decree 635-r should be amended soon to allow entry to UEFA EURO 2020 participants and fans (TASS). We follow the news and will give updates as soon as any new developments arise. If the decree is amended to allow fans to enter the Russian Federation, not only Finnish and Belgian nationals (whose teams will be playing in St. Petersburg) will be able to enter the country, but also everyone who buys tickets for the matches and get a FAN-ID (TASS).

Update May 20, 2021 16:40 Mikhail Mishustin has signed amendments to documents allowing foreign nationals and stateless persons to travel to Russia to take part in the European Football Championship in St. Petersburg (RIA Novosti, Interfax). These documents have yet to be posted on the Government’s website.

Update May 20, 2021 18:00 A government decree has been published on the official legal information portal. Entry restrictions have been lifted for volunteers, participants, organizers, and fans (entering the country with a FAN-ID).

Temporary travel restrictions still apply. Whether or not it is possible to enter the Russian Federation depends on the country of entry and the country of stay/citizenship of foreign nationals. The current list of restrictions by country and when and how it was changed can be found in our article: Russian Government Relaxes Travel Restrictions.

Documents required for entry and stay in the Russian Federation

Spectators (fans):

With a FAN-ID, people can cross the border many times from May 29 to July 12, 2021 (fan-id.ru, https://www.fan-id.ru/help.html?locale=EN#info_faq_3_1_question).

Documents required:

• Passport
• Medical insurance
• Certificate confirming negative COVID-19 test result (the Chief Public Health Officer order states that: “when foreign nationals and stateless persons cross the Russian border, they must have a medical document (in Russian or in English) confirming that the result of their COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test conducted no earlier than three calendar days before arrival in the Russian Federation is negative.”)

Foreign nationals must register with the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs after arriving in the Russian Federation under the general procedure.

Journalists and bloggers:

Applications for accreditation to work at the city press center, which will be open from June 10 to July 12, will be accepted from May 11 onwards. Applications must be filled out at media.welcome2020.ru and submitted with an editorial letter.

There is no limit on the number of journalists that can be sent from one single publication. Once the accreditation is confirmed, journalists will be able to collect a badge at the following address: St. Petersburg, Nevskiy prospekt 70.

Work at the press center and available services.

The first step is to buy a ticket for one of the following seven matches:

• June 12, 2021 21:00 Belgium – Russia
• June 14, 2021 18:00 Poland – Slovakia
• June 16, 2021 15:00 Finland – Russia
• June 18, 2021 15:00 Sweden – Slovakia
• June 21, 2021 21:00 Finland – Belgium
• June 23, 2021 18:00 Sweden – Poland
• July 02, 2021 18:00 Quarter final

The stadium for tournament matches in St. Petersburg will be 50% full to comply with coronavirus restrictions.

After buying a ticket, you must apply for a FAN-ID. This document is required to attend matches and replaces visas for foreign nationals entering the Russian Federation.

FAN-IDs are issued at fan-id.ru FAN-ID registration page (https://www.fan-id.ru/registration.html). To apply for a FAN-ID, you will need a passport, photo, football match ticket number(s). FAN-IDs issued in 2020 will need to have been renewed by December 31, 2020. If this has not been done, you will need to re-apply.

Options to obtain a FAN-ID:

• In person or through a representative (with a copy of the football fan’s passport and the representative’s passport) in Moscow or in St. Petersburg
• By post
• Via VFS Global visa application centers

Foreign nationals who registered more than 17 days before the first match will receive an electronic FAN-ID which can be printed on А4 paper and used to enter the Russian Federation. In this case, the original FAN-ID may be received in person in Moscow or in St. Petersburg.

The procedure for FAN-ID issuance is regulated by a decree from the Ministry of Digital Development.

Applications are to be processed within 72 hours.

FAN-IDs may be replaced at the FAN-ID issuing center. If a FAN-ID needs to be replaced due to full name, or date of birth errors, this may take longer as the issuing center will need to obtain approval from the appropriate security agency.

FAN-ID status can be verified here: https://www.fan-id.ru/avia

When checking-in at a hotel, foreign nationals will be asked to present their passport to make copies which will be used to register them with the with the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

If foreign nationals use booking.com or stay at friends/acquaintances, then the owner of the accommodation will have to register their foreign guests. This registration should as a rule be done within 7 working days. If the period of stay does not exceed 7 working days, registration is not required.

Foreign nationals are entitled with the owner’s consent to liaise themselves with the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

EURO-2020 app

• Google Play
• App Store

This app allows getting all the information you need on the day of the match, as well as a free travel card (in certain cities) and a map with the shortest route to the stadium.

Volunteers

1,300 helpers from the NGO St. Petersburg Volunteers will work in St. Petersburg, helping guests navigate the city. Information stands will be available at the airport, in train stations, and major transport interchanges. Near the stadiums on match days, volunteers will help people find car parking places and show them how to get to the place indicated on their tickets.

Volunteers who know a foreign language will be assigned to medical staff to help communication with foreign nationals if necessary.

Cultural and entertainment program volunteers will hold cultural and entertainment events in specially equipped tents in city parks and squares.

COVID-19 in the Russian Federation

List of official sources of relevant information on the situation with COVID-19 in the Russian Federation:

• Reports on Moscow – Moscow crisis center Telegram channel, VK
• Reports on St. Petersburg – Official site
• Reports on the Russian Federation – Official site

Our lawyers describe the procedures and requirements to enter the Russian Federation to attend the UEFA EURO 2020 matches in May-July 2021.