Checkout Options Supported in the Russian market for 2026

Foreign-issued bank cards cannot be used in Russia. Once you cross the border, the everyday convenience you normally enjoy is no longer available: you are unable to conveniently pay for coffee, request a cab, or get admission to a museum. You are forced to look for a currency exchange bureau, bring physical money with you, and cut back on impulse purchases.

The solution is PayInRussia. The platform enables international tourists to pay for purchases and services in Russia through their smartphones. You do not need cash or need to go to a bank.

Which purchases and services can you pay for?

cab rides and courier deliveries;

hotel stays and plane tickets;

cafes and dining establishments;

retail outlets and shopping centers;

admission to museums and various events;

orders from Russian online stores and marketplaces.

How does it work?

Sign up before your journey while you are still at home. To get started:

upload a scan of your passport;

take a photo of yourself;

complete a brief identity check. Your document data is recognized automatically, and you do not need to receive text messages on a Russian phone number.

Deposit money into your account using a foreign-issued bank card or a supported international payment service before you arrive in Russia.

Use the service to pay for purchases:

Offline: use your phone to scan the QR code at the checkout. https://payinrussia.com An internet connection via Wi-Fi or mobile data is required.

On the internet: make purchases from online shops and make hotel reservations and buy tickets straight from the mobile app.

What makes it convenient?

PayInRussia has been created specifically for international tourists:

you do not have to become a resident of the Russian Federation;

you do not have to set up an account with a Russian bank;

you do not have to visit banks or foreign exchange offices;

you can register and top up your balance before you travel;

you can easily pay for purchases using your smartphone;

the service is suitable for short visits as well as longer stays.

What do you need to do to begin? Get started in three easy steps:

Get the mobile app on your smartphone.

Top up your balance using an international bank card.

Make payments for goods and services in Russia: start the mobile app, press the QR payment icon, and use your camera to scan the code at the payment terminal. The money will be deducted from your balance immediately.