Payments in Moscow
Foreign tourists in Moscow can pay for purchases and services with cash, MIR cards, or via specialised payment services.
Paying with Cash
Cash is accepted absolutely everywhere. You can exchange foreign currency for rubles at an exchange office; there are more than a hundred of them throughout the city. For better exchange options, use city exchange offices marked on the map.
Banks in the City Centre
Currency exchange in Moscow
How to Declare Cash
When bringing cash into the country, it’s important to bear in mind the current rules: any amount equivalent to over 10 000 US dollars must be declared upon entering Russia. The same limit applies when leaving the country — taking out more than this amount in foreign currency also requires a declaration. You can do this in advance by filling in a form, or at the customs control area before you enter the red corridor. Fill in your first name and surname, passport details, and residential address. The entire amount you’re carrying must be stated in dollars, euros, or the currency of an EAEU member state.
MIR Cards
Before your trip, it’s worth giving some thought to a convenient payment method — Visa and Mastercard cards issued by foreign banks do not work in Russia. Tourists can pay with a MIR card, which is accepted everywhere. You can get a card from a number of foreign banks (for example, in CIS countries) before your trip, or obtain a foreign tourist card upon arrival. With it, you can pay for meals, shopping, withdraw cash, and make online payments.
To get a MIR card, visit any bank branch with your passport and migration card (for citizens of EAEU countries, a passport is sufficient), fill in an application and receive a non-personalised (instant) card on the spot, or a personalised one in a few days.
Some banks also offer digital virtual cards. You can link them to the Mir Pay app and pay for purchases with your phone.
YooMoney
YooMoney is another great option for foreigners travelling around Russia. You can get a virtual YooMoney card in just a few minutes — with it, you can easily pay for your hotel, book museum tickets in advance, and make all sorts of other purchases during your trip.
With YooMoney, you can issue a virtual card of the national MIR payment system, which makes travelling around Russia a breeze. The e‑wallet lets you transfer money, pay for purchases, exchange currency, and carry out other banking operations. If you like, you can even order a plastic card for your YooMoney account. YooMoney does have certain limits, but nothing that would get in a tourist’s way (for example, you can’t keep more than 500 000 RUB in the wallet).
PayInRussia
The PayInRussia service, developed by Promselkhozbank, enables foreign tourists to pay for goods and services in Russia the way they’re used to — via smartphone. You can top up your account with a card from a foreign bank even before you arrive in Russia.
With PayInRussia, you can pay in taxis, hotels, cafés and restaurants, shopping centres, and tourist spots. It also works for online purchases, and you can link the card to delivery and taxi apps. For regular purchases in shops and cafés using a terminal, payment is made via QR code — all you need is your phone with you.
T‑Bank’s Black Card for Foreigners
T‑Bank’s Black Card is a real lifesaver for foreigners travelling around Russia. You can apply for the card from abroad, and a bank representative will deliver it right to the airport or your hotel — with it, you can easily pay for accommodation, buy museum tickets, and make all sorts of other purchases during your trip.
The Black debit card is a convenient and secure way for foreigners travelling in Russia. It works for online purchases, and you can link the card to delivery and taxi apps. For regular payments in shops and cafés via terminal, you just scan a QR code — your phone is all you need.
