How To Pay In The Russian Market Throughout 2026

Cards issued by foreign banks cannot be used in Russia. As soon as you enter the country, the convenience you are used to becomes inaccessible: you can no longer easily pay for your coffee, book a taxi, or buy a museum ticket. You have to find a currency exchange office, bring physical money with you, and limit spontaneous purchases.



A convenient solution is PayInRussia. This service enables visitors from other countries to make payments for products and services in Russia using their smartphones. You do not need cash or visit a bank branch.


What can be paid for?


cab rides and courier deliveries;
hotels and airline tickets;
cafés and restaurants;
shops and shopping centers;
tickets to museums and events;
orders from Russian online stores and marketplaces.


How does the service work?


Create your account before traveling while you are in your country of residence. To do this:



use your phone to scan your passport;
take a photo of yourself;
go through a fast identity verification procedure. https://payinrussia.com/ Your document data is detected automatically, and no text messages sent to a Russian phone number are required.



Top up your balance using a bank card issued outside Russia or a payment service available in a supported country prior to your arrival in Russia.


Use the service to pay for purchases:


At physical points of sale: scan the QR code at the checkout. A connection to the internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data is required.
For online payments: pay in online stores and make hotel reservations and buy tickets directly through the app.


Why is the service so useful?


PayInRussia has been designed especially for foreign travelers:



you are not required to be a Russian resident;
you do not need to open an account at a Russian bank;
you do not have to visit bank offices or currency exchange bureaus;
you can register and top up your balance in advance of your journey;
you can easily pay for purchases through your smartphone;
the service is ideal for short visits as well as longer stays.


How do you get started? Get started in three easy steps:


Download the app on your mobile phone.
Top up your balance using an internationally issued bank card.
Pay for purchases in Russia: open the app, select the QR code symbol, and scan the code at the checkout. The money will be withdrawn from your balance instantly.