The Russian Central Bank announced on Friday that it would lift its restrictions on foreign currency transfers abroad starting December 8, 2025. This decision applies to Russian citizens and non-resident individuals from friendly countries.
The Central Bank cited the stable foreign exchange market as the reason behind the change. Russian citizens and non-residents from friendly countries can now transfer funds abroad without limits. However, the restrictions still apply to citizens and non-residents from unfriendly countries.
Non-resident workers from unfriendly countries can transfer funds only up to the amount of their salary. The Russian Central Bank also maintains a ban on transfers for individuals and legal entities from unfriendly countries not working in Russia.
The updated policy also allows banks from unfriendly countries to transfer funds in rubles, using correspondent accounts in Russian credit institutions, provided both the payer’s and recipient’s accounts are in foreign banks.
These changes follow the restrictions the Russian Central Bank imposed in March 2022 after Western sanctions. At that time, Russian citizens could transfer only $10,000 per month in foreign currency.
By lifting these restrictions, Russia seeks to normalize financial transactions for its citizens and businesses in friendly countries. However, the policy keeps barriers for those in unfriendly countries, as Russia adjusts to economic challenges posed by global sanctions.
