Published: 17.03.2026
The European Commission confirmed that payment sanctions should not apply to Russians holding temporary or permanent residence permits or citizenship in an EU country. According to the source’s headline and report, the clarification also concerns Russians holding a national D visa.
According to the source, Russians holding an EU residence permit or citizenship should be protected from the relevant payment restrictions affecting bank accounts. This directly concerns people relocating to Germany who need to retain access to banking and payments after obtaining a status in the EU, as well as applicants holding a national D visa. The clarification is important because access may depend not only on nationality but also on documented immigration status. People opening or maintaining a German bank account should take the clarification into account and keep proof of their status available.