How a foreigner can buy a SIM card in Russia in 2025

Where to buy a SIM card in Russia? 

In most regions of the country, there are four mobile operators: 

– MTS (in Russian) 

– Beeline (in Russian)

– Megafon (in Russian)

– Tele2 (in Russian) 

Each offers different tariffs that include minute, SMS and mobile internet packages. Coverage in Russia is generally very good, with high-speed LTE internet almost everywhere. Only in remote areas (for example, in the tundra, far from populated areas) the signal may disappear. 

You can buy a SIM card in official communication salons, which are located at airports, railway stations, shopping centers or in stores on the high street.

You can pay either in cash or with a Russian debit/credit card. A user contract can only be concluded from the age of 14. 

What documents do you need to buy a SIM card?

The SIM card is in the hand and the buyer is in the Beeline cellular office in Moscow.

From 2025, foreigners who want to buy a SIM card must have an account on the ‘Gosuslugi’ ('State Services') official website (in Russian) and confirm their biometric data with a Russian bank. Anonymous purchases are not possible.

You will need to provide the following documents at the office of the telecom store:

– passport and its notarized translation into Russian, 

– ‘SNILS’ number (insurance number of your individual personal account). It is issued at the ‘Moi Dokumenty’ Multifunctional Center (there are multiple offices in every city of Russia): the process can, however, take up to five days,

– confirmed biometrics in the Unified Biometric System. You need to register it at the bank.

– ‘IMEI’ number - the number of your device. You can use the SIM card only on one device.

How to top up your balance without a Russian debit/credit card?

In Russia, you can top up your phone balance in communication salons. When paying in cash, you must show your an identity document.