ATMs, bank cards and banks

Problems with banks and bank cards in Crimea appeared in connection with the introduction of sanctions after the peninsula joined the Russian Federation in 2014. At first, it was impossible to pay with a card or withdraw money from ATMs, and tourists were forced to go only with cash. However, now the situation has improved significantly, it is possible to pay with cards in stores and even withdraw them from ATMs. But in order not to get into a situation where an unexpected Commission will be charged for withdrawing money or a transaction, or your card will refuse to work, read the following information:

Can I pay with a bank card in Crimea

MasterCard, Visa and Mir bank cards issued by Russian banks are accepted for payment in shops and hotels in Crimea without restrictions. Fees for payment are not charged, unless it is provided by the bank that issued the card. Rarely do banks set such a commission, so you can safely use the card. Failures in processing transactions happen, but not because of political sanctions, but because of technical failures. If your card will not be accepted, inform the bank, and if you are lucky, they will solve the problem until your vacation is over.

Also, using a plastic card, you can purchase plane tickets, Buses, book hotels and accommodation in Crimea via the Internet while still at home, or already on vacation in Crimea without any commissions.

If the plastic card is issued by a foreign bank

In this case, there may be a refusal when trying to pay her something on the territory of Crimea, since payments are made by Russian banks through the Russian Federation. If this bank is under sanctions, then the payment will not pass. It is difficult to predict such a situation, so it is better not to count on foreign cards.

Is it possible to withdraw money from a plastic card in Crimea

Yes, it is possible with Mastercard, Visa and Mir bank cards issued by Russian banks, but there is one feature: your card must provide for cash withdrawal from ATMs of other banks. Some banks, and in particular Sberbank, issue cards that will work only at Sberbank ATMs, and no others. Accordingly, you will not be able to withdraw money from such a card, but from all others – please.

When withdrawing cash from ATMs of other banks, a commission is provided. The size of the commission depends on your bank, you can find out all the information for your card on the website or in the terms of the agreement, but on average it is about 1% and at least 100 rubles.

If you have a card issued by the same bank that owns the ATM, then the commission is not charged, unless otherwise provided by the contract. Unfortunately, not the most popular Russian banks are represented on the territory of the peninsula (see the list below), so it is still more practical to take money for current and small expenses with you in the form of cash.

Banks in Crimea

At the moment, all Ukrainian banks have completely stopped working on the territory of Crimea, but many Russian banks, as well as local Crimean banks, have opened their representative offices and offices. Bank branches will be of little use to tourists, but in an emergency you can send or receive a transfer, or withdraw money from your account.

Now you can find branches of the following banks:

All-Russian

• Bank Russia
• GenBank
• Bank Verkhnevolzhsky (BBB)
• Krayinvestbank
• TAATTA bank
• Talmenka-Bank
• Tempbank
• Bank Rublev
• K2 Bank
• Northern Credit Bank

Crimean banks

• RNCB bank (Russian National Commercial Bank)
• Marine Bank
• CBRR bank

There are a lot of offices and ATMs, so it makes no sense to give them in this article. All information about the branches and their addresses you can find on the websites of the relevant bank.

There are no ATMs and branches of Sberbank in the Crimea yet. Sberbank works through RNKB and GenBank, but cash withdrawals occur only with a commission.