Published
12/07/2025, 09:04The Bank of Russia has announced that from December 8, limits on foreign currency transfers abroad for Russian citizens and non-resident individuals from friendly countries will be lifted. The decision was made against the backdrop of stabilization in the currency market.
The regulator specifies that the new rule will remain in effect until June 7, 2026, inclusive.
In particular, the Central Bank has lifted restrictions that were to remain in effect until March 31, 2026. Specifically, Russian citizens and non-resident individuals from friendly countries were allowed to transfer no more than $1 million (equivalent in any foreign currency) to any accounts in foreign banks within a month. The limits on transfers via money transfer systems were $10,000 per month.
Despite partial liberalization, restrictions continue to apply to non-residents from unfriendly countries:
Non-resident individuals working in Russia can still only transfer funds abroad within the limits of their salary.
Non-resident individuals not working in the Russian Federation and legal entities from unfriendly countries remain subject to a complete ban on international transfers.
The exception is companies controlled by Russian citizens or legal entities.
The restrictions also do not apply to transactions by foreign investors who invest in Russian assets. They can transfer funds from “In” accounts to foreign accounts without restrictions.
There are also changes for banks in unfriendly countries. They are now allowed to make transfers in Russian rubles through correspondent accounts opened with Russian credit institutions. This is possible provided that the payer's and recipient's accounts are held with foreign banks.
