ECJ: No carrying of cash for medical treatment in Russia

Luxembourg. The restrictions on the export of cash to Russia imposed due to the sanctions against Russia also apply if the money is intended for medical treatment. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg has now clarified this.

In the case decided, a woman wanted to take almost 15,000 euros in banknotes to Russia. She stated that she needed the money primarily for medical treatments, specifically dental treatments, hormone treatment at a fertility clinic, and follow-up treatment for breast surgery at a plastic surgery clinic.

Customs at Frankfurt am Main Airport only allowed her around 1,000 euros and confiscated the rest. Due to the sanctions against Russia, she was only allowed to take money for her own travel expenses. The woman filed a lawsuit, and the Higher Regional Court (OLG) of Frankfurt am Main referred the matter to the European Court of Justice.

The court has now reaffirmed the sanctions rule. Since the EU has not itself restricted travel to Russia, travelers are allowed to bring the cash necessary for the trip and stay. "However, medical treatments such as those in question do not correspond to the needs prompted by the trip or stay," the judges emphasized (case number: C-246/24). There are no further exceptions.

The Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt must now formally decide the dispute. (mwo)