How to get a Russian SIM card in 2025 as a foreign tourist ?
Well … we can’t. I mean, almost can’t.
On January 1st, 2025, the Russian government adopted a new law requiring SIM card buyers to be registered on Gosuslugi (the what?) and to have a SNILS number (S’what?) – a bureaucratic nightmare for a simple tourist like you or me.
As I write this in early March 2025, we must prepare to travel to a country that boasts of its modernity while giving the impression of being back in 2002 : the old-fashioned way, with a paper map and dictionary in hand. (Okay, I’m exaggerating … but barely.)
So, how can we stay connected in Russia in 2025? eSIM, WiFi, legal alternatives (or not)… I break it all down for you in this article :
✔ The procedures (it’s tricky!)
✔ The best Russian mobile operators (if you manage to get the holy grail)
✔ The consequences if you also want to open a bank account in Russia
✔ The best alternative : eSIM
Note : My Russian SIM card, legally purchased at a Megafon store with my passport and visa, was deactivated in January.
Last updated 5/11/2025.
I have managed to get a Russian SIM card on my latest trip. Read about it here.
Why is buying a SIM card in Russia so difficult in 2025 ? Russian mobile regulations explained
New law of January 1, 2025 : What’s changing in Russia?
Previously, all you needed to buy a Russian SIM card was your passport and visa : Plain and simple.
But since January 2025, every SIM card must be linked to a Gosuslugi account. And to have a Gosuslugi account, you need … a SNILS number.
What is Gosuslugi and a SNILS number ?
• Gosuslugi = a Russian online platform, which is used to access administrative services.
• SNILS = the Russian Social Security number, essential to register on Gosuslugi.
What you need to register on Gosuslugi : an email address, a passport, a notarized translation of the passport (yes, they insist on making it as though as possible!) and a SNILS number. Also, somewhere in the process, you’ll need to provide your biometric data (I didn’t understand where to do this physical stuff).
I’ll let you discover the Gosuslugi page that explains in detail how to do it : of course, it’s only available in Russian.
Why were SIM cards purchased before 2025 deactivated ?
If, like me, you bought a Russian SIM card in 2024 or before, you may have had the unpleasant surprise of seeing your line cut at the beginning of 2025 (even though they said we would have until July 1, 2025 to register).
But why ?
🔹 The new law and the big clean-up of phone operators :
Since january 1, 2025, all Russian operators (Megafon, MTS, Beeline, Tele2, etc.) are required to verify that each phone number is registered on Gosuslugi. Those that aren’t are simply disabled. Russian authorities want to end anonymous SIM cards, claiming it’s for fighting fraud and cybersecurity.
🔹 The problem of the black market for Russian sim cards :
Before 2025, it was very easy to buy a sim card in Russia with just a passport.
But some cards were resold on the black market:
• Activated under false identities
• Sold online to foreigners who have never set foot in Russia
• Used for “questionable” activities (spam, scams, countering sanctions evasion, etc.)
Result ? In 2025, the Russian government asked operators to clean up their database and deactivate all non-compliant SIM cards. They plan to deactivate 8 million SIM cards in total !
Even if you purchased your SIM card legally, it may have been blocked because:
❌ It was not connected to Gosuslugi (my case I believe)
❌ It was associated with an identity that no longer exists in the system
❌ It was considered inactive for too long
🔹 Can you reactivate a deactivated SIM card in Russia?
No, unless you have a SNILS number. Operators do not offer any reactivation without official registration. I can’t reactivate mine.
In short : our Russian SIM cards purchased before 2025 are dead and buried (unless you are a Russian resident with a SNILS number – I’m not).
How to still buy a Russian SIM Card in 2025
Without a SNILS number and Gosuslugi, you can no longer buy a Russian SIM card in a legal store. Sellers can no longer activate SIM cards for foreigners.
If you manage to register somehow, the best Russian operators are Beeline, Megafon and MTS (MTC in Russian). Prefer Beeline for the South of the country/Caucasus and the countryside.
What other solutions are available to us ?
Solution 1 : Register on Gosuslugi following the guidelines of the Russian government. Don’t hesitate to share your experience in comments, because I’m not willing to go through so much troubles.
Solution 2 : Buying a SIM card with the help of a Russian friend -> illegal
Solution 3 : Buying a SIM card on the black market, on Telegram, in unofficial stores -> illegal
Solution 4 : Use roaming if you have the budget for it.
Solution 5 : Ask for directions from babushkas on the street : the old-fashioned way !
Solution 6 : Get an eSIM ⬇
The best alternative to a Russian SIM card in 2025 : eSIM
If buying a local SIM card in Russia has become nearly impossible, getting an eSIM (embedded SIM) is the easiest solution to stay connected. Among the available options, esim.ms stands out as one of the best alternatives to me.
I contacted them and they confirmed it works in Russia:
✔ Beeline network → One of the best network coverage in Russia
✔ Stable 4G connection → Ideal for Yandex Maps/Google Maps, WhatsApp or Telegram
✔ Competitive rates → Cheaper than roaming and no commitment. (E.g. 20GB/30days ≃ 20€)
✔ Instant activation → Buy, scan a QR code and go (+ Top-Up available if needed)
Otherwise, Holafly offers a 68€90 plan for 30 days with unlimited data.
Note: WiFi is available and free in all hotels in Russia. Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible.
👉 Order your eSIM on esim.sm now !
Impact of not having a Russian SIM card when opening a bank account
SNILS and Gosuslugi complicate more than just SIM card purchases : they also make opening a bank account much harder. Russian banks require a Russian phone number linked to Gosuslugi, which is a problem if one can’t buy a SIM card.
The only exception : some Russian neobanks still accept foreign numbers.
I asked T-Bank (formerly Tinkoff) and they confirmed it is possible to open an account without a Russian number. They do ask for a phone number in the account opening process, but if yours doesn’t work, you can send them a message via chat or email to explain the situation, and they will offer a solution.
Source : the T-Bank staff; I have had a Tinkoff account since 2022, and it’s been linked to my French number ever since.
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