When & where does a foreigner need to present their passport in Russia?
1. Checking into a hotel
You’ll need an ID if you are staying at any hotel in Russia. The hotel typically registers guests within one working day of checking-in and transfers all the necessary data to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (more details here).
2. Renting a car
You will also need a passport if you want to rent a car in Russia – at a rental store or using car sharing services. Read more here.
3. Visiting government services
For example, if you need to register at your place of stay or receive other government services, then you will need to show your passport at the MFC or Migration Center (more details here).
4. Traveling to another region
You don’t need a passport to buy a ticket for the subway or regional trains, but, if you want to go on a trip to another Russian region, you’ll need to indicate your passport details when purchasing the ticket and take it with you. This applies not only to plane and train travel, but also to bus and ferry transportation.
5. Buying a SIM card
In Russia, you can only buy a SIM card with a passport, both for citizens of the country and for foreigners. However, this is easily done in official communication stores, which are located at airports, train stations, shopping centers and in individual stores on high streets. Read more here.
6. Getting a bank card
Bank cards in Russia can be either personalized, which are issued within a few days, or instant, ie. non-personalized. However, to issue both cards, the bank will ask you to provide your passport details and present the document itself. Find out more information on how to get a bank card in Russia here.
7. Buying alcohol or cigarettes
In Russia, such purchases can only be made by a person over 18 years old and the seller may ask you to show your passport or other identification to verify your age.
8. Going to the theater in Moscow
In Moscow, most theaters, concert venues and cultural centers now require passport details when purchasing tickets for events (a full list of these institutions can be found here). Identity cards are also checked at the entrance – the data must match that indicated on the ticket.
In St. Petersburg, only the Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theater requires one to provide a passport when buying tickets.
9. Getting stopped by police
In Russia, police officers can stop you on the street, in the subway or in other public places in order to check your documents. This is usually done if the person looks like someone who is wanted or the police have reason to suspect the person of committing illegal acts. For example, if you are drinking alcohol on the street – this is strictly prohibited in Russia.
In any case, it is better to always have your passport or other identification document with you. Or at least a copy, otherwise you can be detained until your identity is established.
10. Going to a medical clinic
Emergency medical care in Russia can be obtained without a passport: For example, if you feel unwell on the street, you can call an ambulance or go to the nearest medical center. But, if you just need to see a doctor or get tested, you will need both a passport and an insurance policy. More details here.