European Union Court rules on legality of bringing euros for medical treatment export to Russia
Rewritten Article:
Bringing Euro banknotes into Russia, even for medical purposes, remains banned, as ruled by the European Court in Luxembourg. Only cash necessary for travel and accommodation costs is allowed.
Recently, customs officers at Frankfurt Airport discovered over €14,000 on a traveler heading to Russia. She intended to use part of this money for various medical services, such as dental work, hormone therapy, fertility clinic treatments, and post-breast augmentation care at Russian clinics. The officers seized the majority of her funds, leaving her with only €1,000 for travel expenses.
The German court tackling this passenger's case sought guidance from the European Court of Justice regarding an exception for medical costs. The European Court responded that funding treatment in Russia does not qualify as export for personal use.
RBC Group reported the seizure of over 56,000 euros by customs officers at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.
In March 2022, the US and EU imposed a prohibition on importing cash dollars and euros into Russia. Reuters reports that around $2.3 billion worth of dollars and euros were imported into the country between then and the end of December 2023. These funds were transported primarily from the UAE and Turkey.
Between November 2021 and February 2022, customs data shows approximately $18.9 billion in euro and dollar banknotes entered Russia, compared to just $17 million in the preceding four months. Between February 2022 and the end of 2023, around $98 million in banknotes of both currencies were exported from Russia.
Despite ongoing sanctions and restrictions against Russia, humanitarian purposes may receive exceptions, but they are not explicitly mentioned in relation to importing euro banknotes for medical expenses. To find further details, you may need to examine specific rulings by the European Court of Justice or EU regulations relating to Russia-related sanctions. Additionally, general guidance on sanctions might include provisions for humanitarian undertakings, but these should be cross-checked against current legal and regulatory documents.
- Despite the recent seizing of tens of thousands of euros at Sheremetyevo Airport, bringing euro banknotes into Russia for medical treatments, like fertility clinic procedures, remains prohibited according to the European Court of Justice.
- The Euro fertility industry, targeting Russians seeking treatments, seems to be indirectly impacted by the ongoing financial sanctions and customs regulations, as the import of Euro banknotes is restricted.
- The banking-and-insurance sector plays a crucial role in facilitating the transfer of funds between countries, yet the current US and EU prohibition on importing cash dollars and euros into Russia is causing a significant diversion of such funds from the usual channels, such as the UAE and Turkey.
- In the evolving landscape of international finance and sanctions, it is essential for individuals and industries to stay updated on the specific procedures and exceptions, such as those related to humanitarian purposes or medical expenses, to navigate challenging situations like the ongoing restrictions against Russia.
