Money under sanctions: cards, transfers, and the Mir system

This page explains the everyday money-related matters of Turkish citizens living in or traveling to Russia: which cards work, how to make payments within Russia, the 2026 rules for sending money abroad, and the limits on cash foreign currency. The information is based on the official statements of the Central Bank of Russia (Банк России) and Russian legislation. For cash-carrying limits and declaration at the border, see R1.8; for opening a bank account, see R8.2.

• On March 6, 2022, the Central Bank of Russia announced that cross-border transactions could not be made with Visa and Mastercard cards.
• Since cross-border transactions on the Visa and Mastercard networks are closed, do not assume that you can pay in Russia or withdraw money from an ATM with your Visa or Mastercard card issued in Türkiye.
• Visa and Mastercard cards issued by Russian banks continue to work within Russia until they expire; these transactions are processed through Russia's own payment infrastructure.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye asks people traveling to Russia to carry enough cash and/or a credit card to cover their expenses during their stay. Plan sufficient cash in case your card does not work.

• Card payments in Russia are processed through the National Payment Card System (НСПК). When this system was established, all of its shares were owned by the Central Bank. By law, the Central Bank's share may not fall below 50% plus one share.
• Russia's national card, Mir (Мир), operates within this system. You can obtain a Mir card from your bank when you open an account with a Russian bank (see R8.2).
• The Fast Payments System (Система быстрых платежей, СБП) is a 24/7 service of the Central Bank:
  • instant money transfers between accounts at different banks using a phone number
  • payment for purchases in stores and online
  • tax and utility payments
• The maximum amount for a single transaction in the Fast Payments System is 1 million rubles. This limit does not apply to transfers between your own accounts.

• There are two statuses under Russian currency regulations:
  • Resident (резидент): Russian citizens and foreigners who live permanently in Russia with a residence permit (ВНЖ)
  • Non-resident (нерезидент): other foreigners. Turkish citizens who arrive with a visa, work with a work permit, or have a temporary residence permit (РВП) fall into this group.
• The countermeasures in force since 2022 make another distinction: the list of “unfriendly countries.” Türkiye is not on this list. Therefore, Turkish citizens are considered “non-residents of a friendly country” (дружественный нерезидент) for currency rules.
• Transfer bans applied to citizens of “unfriendly countries” do not apply to Turkish citizens in this capacity.

• Since December 8, 2025, the previous monthly limits on foreign-currency transfers abroad have been removed for Russian citizens and non-residents of friendly countries.
• According to the Central Bank's guidance dated May 1, 2026:
  • non-residents of friendly countries may send unlimited foreign currency from their accounts at Russian banks to any account abroad; no permission is required
  • there is also no limit on foreign-currency transfers abroad from accounts for residents, including foreigners with residence permits
• Residents may send the equivalent of no more than 5,000 dollars per day abroad without opening an account, through money-transfer systems (Central Bank Instruction 1412-U).
• Restrictions concerning residents of “unfriendly countries” have been extended until December 7, 2026. These restrictions do not cover Turkish citizens in this capacity.
• Foreigners who obtain a residence permit (ВНЖ) become residents. For residents' obligation to notify the Tax Administration about their accounts abroad, see R9.5.

• Restrictions on withdrawing cash dollars and euros from foreign-currency accounts at Russian banks have been extended until March 9, 2027 (Central Bank decision, September 1, 2026).
• The rule works as follows:
  • if the account was opened before March 9, 2022, cash foreign currency may be withdrawn up to the balance on that date, but no more than the equivalent of 10,000 dollars
  • the remaining amount is paid in rubles
  • foreign currency credited to the account after September 9, 2022, is converted into rubles at the bank's exchange rate on the payment date
• Banks have been prohibited from charging commissions for withdrawing foreign currency for another six months.
• Foreign-currency transfers made without opening an account and electronic-wallet balances are paid to the recipient in rubles. The amount paid may not be less than the amount calculated at the Central Bank's official exchange rate for that day.
• Do not assume that you will be able to withdraw cash dollars or euros from a newly opened foreign-currency account. Payment is made in rubles.

• Russian banks are required to check every transfer for signs of fraud. Since January 1, 2026, the number of indicators has increased from 6 to 12. Examples:
  • the recipient's information is in the Central Bank's fraud database
  • an amount, frequency, or time unusual for you
  • your phone number was changed in online banking or Gosuslugi within 48 hours before the transfer
  • signs of malware on your device
• If a bank detects such an indicator, it suspends the transfer for 2 days and immediately informs you. If you confirm the transfer or make the same transaction again, the bank processes it. If the recipient is in the Central Bank's database, the transaction is processed after the two-day waiting period.
• If your information has been entered into the Central Bank's database, the bank may suspend your bank card and online banking. If it does not, transfers made by card or online banking to yourself or others are limited to 100,000 rubles per month. For a larger amount, you must go to a branch with your identification. Store and bill payments are not included in this limit.
• If you believe you were entered into the database unfairly, you can file an objection through the Central Bank's online application page.

• In Russia, allowing another person to use your card or online banking “for a small fee” is a crime.
• Under Article 187 of the Russian Criminal Code:
  • providing your card or account access to another person for illegal transactions for profit: a fine of 100,000–300,000 rubles or other penalties
  • conducting an illegal transaction with your own card on another person's instructions: the same penalty range
  • conducting an illegal transaction with someone else's card: up to 6 years in prison
• The Central Bank also warns against fraudsters who collect cards with offers of “easy money.”

• Central Bank of Russia (Банк России) — complaints about banks, objections to blocks, license inquiries
  • Address: 12 Neglinnaya Street, Building V, 107016 Moscow
  • Telephone: 300 (free from mobile phones, 24/7) · 8 800 300 30 00 (free within Russia, 24/7) · +7 499 300 30 00 (24/7, paid)
  • Online application: cbr.ru/contactBR/161-FZ
• Your bank — contact your own bank first to find out why the transfer was stopped.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye Consular Call Center (24/7): +90 312 292 29 29

• Failing to bring enough cash because you assume you can pay for everything in Russia with a card issued in Türkiye.
• Taking cash exceeding the equivalent of 10,000 dollars across the border without declaring it.
• Assuming that opening a foreign-currency account will allow you to withdraw cash dollars or euros.
• Trying to make a large transfer immediately after changing your phone number; the bank may suspend the transaction for 2 days.
• Letting an acquaintance use your card or online banking “just once.”
• Trusting “exchange-rate-independent, intermediary-free foreign-currency transfer” offers seen on social media.

• Can Turkish citizens send money abroad from Russia? Yes. Since December 8, 2025, non-residents of friendly countries may send unlimited foreign currency abroad from their accounts at Russian banks.
• Is Türkiye an “unfriendly country”? No. Türkiye is not on Russia's list dated March 5, 2022.
• How can I get a Mir card? When you open an account at a Russian bank, your bank may issue you a Mir card (see R8.2).
• Why can't I get dollars from the bank? The Central Bank's cash foreign-currency restriction remains in force until March 9, 2027. The amount is paid in rubles.
• What is required to use the Fast Payments System? An account at a Russian bank and the bank's mobile application. The transfer is made using the recipient's phone number; the maximum amount per transaction is 1 million rubles.
• What changes if I obtain a residence permit (ВНЖ)? You become a resident under currency regulations. Notification obligations concerning your foreign accounts may arise (see R9.5).

• Central Bank of Russia: Guidance on restrictive measures, May 1, 2026 (PDF)
• Central Bank: financial market participant search (bank license)
• Central Bank: frequently asked questions about card blocking
• Central Bank: online application page
• Central Bank: Fast Payments System
• Central Bank: Beware of fraudsters
• Central Bank: measures to protect the financial market (current decisions)
• Federal Law 173-FZ: currency regulation and currency control