The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds that due to the cease of recognition of non-biometric foreign passports, all holders of Estonian and EU residence permits currently using a non-biometric Russian passport must apply for a biometric travel document no later than September 30, 2025, if they wish to cross the border after this date.
Estonia ceased recognition of non-biometric foreign passports issued by the Russian Federation on March 31, 2025. This means that holders of such passports cannot cross Estonia’s land, air, or sea borders, nor apply for a visa to enter Estonia. This non-recognition applies to all holders of non-biometric foreign passports, regardless of age.
For holders of an Estonian or EU residence permit with a non-biometric Russian passport, a transition period is in effect until September 30, 2025, allowing time to obtain a biometric passport.
As of May 30, 2025, in addition to Estonia, Denmark, the Czech Republic, France, and Iceland either do not recognize or conditionally recognize non-biometric Russian passports.
Information on applying for a biometric passport is available on the website of the Embassy of the Russian Federation.
For inquiries, please contact the Russian Embassy in Tallinn at [email protected] (+372 64 64 166) or the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at [email protected] (+372 6377 440).
Additional information
Communication Department
[email protected]
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