A reusable collision energy absorption device for a rail vehicle, comprising an impact receiving rod (1), an outer pipe (3), a damping structure (4), a resetting structure, and an end base (7). The damping structure (4) comprises a damping plug (8), a guide pipe (10), and a damping elastic element (11). The resetting structure comprises a resetting piston (5) and a resetting elastic element (6). The outer pipe is a tubular structure and the inner portion of the outer pipe is separated into a front cavity (14) and a rear cavity (15) by a separating plate (33). The separating plate (33) is provided with a damping hole (13) which is in the shape of a via hole, so that a damping fluid (35) can circulate between the front cavity (14) and the rear cavity (15). When the damping plug (8) is located at an initial position, at least part of length of the damping plug (8) is provided in the damping hole (13); and when the apparatus is impacted, the damping plug (8) can move along the front-back direction of apparatus. A gap is formed between the radially thickest part of the damping plug (8) and the damping hole (13) such that the damping fluid (35) circulates between the front cavity (14) and the rear cavity (15). The apparatus has a good energy absorption effect, can reduce injuries to a passenger in a secondary collision, and is reusable, such that the costs of an energy absorption apparatus can be greatly reduced.