It is prohibited to export banknotes denominated in euros or in another official currency of a Member State to Russia because of European sanctions against that country, even if the money is intended to finance medical treatment, ruled the Court of Justice of the European Union in a judgment delivered on Wednesday 30 April (case C-246/24).
At Frankfurt airport, a passenger travelling to Russia was found to be in possession of around €15,000 in banknotes. This money was to cover her travel and accommodation expenses, as well as medical expenses (dental care, hormone treatment for reproductive purposes, follow-up treatment for breast surgery). Basing their decision on EU sanctions against Russia following the Russian military aggression in Ukraine, German customs seized the money, with the exception of €1,000 intended to cover the passenger’s travel expenses.
Referred to the Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling in criminal proceedings instituted in Germany, the Court is of the opinion that the exception to the prohibition on the export of cash by a natural person travelling to Russia from the EU does not include the financing of medical treatment which that person wishes to receive there.
As the EU has not restricted the right to travel to Russia, the exception in question is intended solely to ensure that travellers have the cash they need for their journey and stay.
To see the Court’s judgment, go to https://aeur.eu/f/gmg (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)