What currency is used in Abkhazia and can you pay by card?

The official currency of Abkhazia is the Russian ruble. All payments in shops, cafes, markets, and government institutions are made in rubles. The national currency of Abkhazia, the apsar, exists but is used only as a collectible coin and is not accepted for payment.

If you are coming from Russia, bring rubles — this is the most convenient and profitable option. There are no restrictions on the import of currency, but amounts over $10,000 USD equivalent must be declared. Tourists from other countries should exchange dollars or euros for rubles in advance, for example, at Adler Airport or in banks in Sochi. In Abkhazia itself, exchanging currency is difficult: there are few banks, they work on inconvenient schedules, and the exchange rate in private exchange offices is significantly lower.

Plastic cards and ATMs

You cannot pay by card everywhere in Abkhazia, so you cannot do without cash entirely. However, the situation has been improving recently: many shops and even private sellers at markets accept payment via Sberbank transfer or QR code. Cards from Russian banks (especially "Mir") work, but with nuances. For example, withdrawing cash from ATMs of the local "Sberbank of Abkhazia" with Russian Sberbank cards incurs no additional commission, but withdrawing from POS terminals may incur a 2% fee.

We recommend using "Mir" cards from T-Bank (formerly Tinkoff) — it is one of the few banks that does not charge a commission for cash withdrawals at ATMs in Abkhazia. With a debit card, you can withdraw up to 100,000 rubles per month without commission, after which it is only 90 rubles per transaction.

Where to withdraw money in Abkhazia (main locations):

• Gagra: st. Abazgaa, 57/1 ("UNIVERSAL-BANK"), st. Demerdzhipa, 28-A ("GAGRA-BANK"), pr. V. Ardzinba, 165 ("SUKHUM-BANK").
• Sukhum: pr. Leona, 31A, st. Pushkina, 21, st. Lakoba, 31, st. Eshba, 166.
• Pitsunda: st. Gitsba, 10.
• New Athos: st. Chanba, 16 (near the New Athos Cave ticket office).
• Gudauta: pr. Geroev, 20 (Sberbank of Abkhazia).

Tipping in Abkhazia is not mandatory — in cafes and restaurants, the service charge is already included in the bill. However, if you leave change or a small amount extra, it will be received with gratitude.

You can learn more in our reliable and honest guide in the article Currency and money in Abkhazia. There we have detailed all the nuances, addresses of banks and ATMs, and how not to lose money on exchange.

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