Banking with a Russian Passport
55 countries. 52 will let you open an account — eventually. 3 won't even make eye contact.
The sanctions reality
Since 2022, EU sanctions (Regulation 833/2014 and friends) mean that walking into a European bank with a Russian passport triggers enhanced due diligence at minimum, and a flat rejection at worst. The US, UK, and their allies added their own layers. This guide maps which countries are practically accessible, which require workarounds, and which are dead ends.
The neobank playbook
Most settlers don't walk into a bank on day one. The actual sequence:
- Wise EUR IBAN — get this before you leave. Fund from a non-sanctioned source. Works as a salary deposit in most EU countries.
- Revolut LT entity — Lithuanian IBAN. Accepted in most EU countries as a local SEPA account. Requires EU address.
- Polish mBank — the intermediary bank of choice. Opens accounts with passport + local address. Many Russians route funds here first.
- Local bank — once you have residency, use the neobank statements as income proof.
Open
19 countriesStandard process, no sanctions-related blocks
🇦🇷 Argentina
Argentine banks accept with DNI (national ID) or CDI (tax ID for foreigners). No sanctions screening. Brubank opens digitally.
Plan B: Wise USD (ARS not supported). Brubank or Ualá open digitally with CDI. Payoneer for freelance USD income.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇦🇲 Armenia
Armenian banks (Ameriabank, Ardshinbank) actively court Russian relocators. Account in 30 minutes with passport.
Plan B: Wise works but local banking is easier and faster. Ameria issues Visa cards that work internationally.
Getting paid: Armenian employers pay into a locally opened account with no sanctions restriction; local salary and banking details are required for payroll; contractors use local accounts, Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY civil documents are accepted without apostille or legalization under the CIS Minsk/Kishinev legal-assistance conventions; only an Armenian or Russian translation is needed.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇧🇷 Brazil
Brazilian banks accept with CPF (tax ID) + valid visa. Banco do Brasil and Nubank are foreigner-friendly. No sanctions screening.
Plan B: Wise BRL. Nubank opens digitally with CPF (easiest path). Payoneer for freelance income.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇨🇴 Colombia
Colombian banks accept with cédula de extranjería (foreigner ID). No sanctions screening. Bancolombia is the most accessible.
Plan B: Wise USD (COP not supported). Nequi (Colombian neobank, requires cédula). Payoneer for freelance income.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇪🇬 Egypt
Egyptian banks accept with valid visa + passport. CIB and NBE are foreigner-friendly. No sanctions screening.
Plan B: Wise USD/EUR (EGP not supported). Payoneer for freelance income. Local banking is straightforward.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇬🇪 Georgia
Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank open accounts on arrival with just a passport. The easiest banking destination for Russian nationals.
Plan B: Wise works but unnecessary — local banking is easier. Georgian bank cards work internationally via Visa/MC.
Getting paid: Georgian employers pay into a locally opened account with no sanctions restriction; Georgian banks don't run ruble accounts or Russia's SPFS, so salary can't route via a Russian bank; contractors use local accounts, Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY documents require an apostille plus a notarised Georgian translation; Georgia left the CIS, so apostille (not the CIS waiver) applies.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇮🇳 India
Indian banks require valid visa + local address. SBI and HDFC accept Russian passports without sanctions screening.
Plan B: Wise INR (limited features). Payoneer for freelance income. Fi or Jupiter neobanks if you have Aadhaar.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇮🇩 Indonesia
Indonesian banks require KITAS (stay permit). No sanctions screening once you have the permit.
Plan B: Wise IDR (limited). Payoneer for freelance income. Without KITAS, use Wise + cash — ATM withdrawals from foreign cards work everywhere.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
Kazakh banks (Kaspi, Halyk) open accounts with passport. Very easy for Russian speakers. No sanctions friction.
Plan B: Kaspi is a super-app — banking, payments, marketplace all in one. Wise KZT available but unnecessary.
Getting paid: Kazakh employers pay into a locally opened account with no sanctions restriction; remote account opening ended in August 2024, so opening is in-person; contractors use local accounts, Payoneer or Wise.
Documents: RU/BY civil documents are accepted without apostille under the CIS legal-assistance conventions; a Kazakh or Russian translation generally suffices.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Malaysian banks accept with valid visa. CIMB and Maybank are the most foreigner-friendly. No sanctions screening.
Plan B: Wise MYR balance. Payoneer. BigPay (Malaysian neobank) for day-to-day spending.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇲🇽 Mexico
Mexican banks accept with valid visa + CURP (population registry). No sanctions screening. BBVA México is foreigner-friendly.
Plan B: Wise MXN. Nubank MX (digital, requires CURP). Payoneer for freelance income. Mercado Pago for day-to-day.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇲🇦 Morocco
Moroccan banks accept with valid visa. Attijariwafa and BMCE are foreigner-friendly. No sanctions screening.
Plan B: Wise EUR (MAD not supported). Payoneer. Local banking is the easiest path.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇷🇸 Serbia
Serbian banks open accounts with passport and local address proof. No EU sanctions applied. Popular intermediate-banking hub.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN (Serbia uses dinars but Wise EUR is useful for EU transfers). Payoneer for freelance income.
Getting paid: Serbian employers pay into a locally opened Serbian account with no sanctions restriction; Russian-bank salary transfers are limited by correspondent-banking constraints; Wise and Payoneer support for Serbia is limited.
Documents: RU/BY documents need an apostille plus a certified Serbian court-translator translation, though a Russia–Serbia legal-assistance treaty can waive legalization in some cases.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇿🇦 South Africa
South African banks accept with valid visa. FNB and Standard Bank are foreigner-friendly. No sanctions screening.
Plan B: Wise ZAR. Payoneer. TymeBank (SA neobank, opens with passport). Local banking is easy.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇹🇭 Thailand
Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn open accounts with passport + valid visa. No sanctions screening — but some branches require a work permit.
Plan B: Wise THB balance (no local IBAN though). Payoneer for freelance income. Try multiple branches — policies vary by location.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇹🇷 Turkey
Turkish banks (Garanti, İş Bankası, Ziraat) open accounts with passport + Turkish phone number. No sanctions friction.
Plan B: Papara (Turkish neobank) opens instantly with passport. Wise TRY balance available. Payoneer for freelance income.
Getting paid: Turkish employers pay into a locally opened Turkish account with no sanctions restriction; Russian-bank transfers face correspondent-banking limits; Wise support for Turkey is limited.
Documents: RU/BY documents require an apostille plus a sworn notarised (yeminli/noter) Turkish translation.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇦🇪 UAE
Emirates NBD and ADCB open accounts with valid UAE visa. Russian passport accepted — but Russian bank wires may be delayed by correspondent-bank screening.
Plan B: Wise USD/AED balance for receiving international payments. Payoneer for freelance income. Use Georgian/Armenian bank to wire funds in.
Getting paid: UAE employers pay salary through the mandated WPS into a local UAE account with no sanctions restriction; Russian-bank routing is impractical; contractors use local accounts (Payoneer works; Wise is limited).
Documents: RU/BY documents need an apostille (the UAE joined the Apostille Convention, in force 2025; previously consular legalization) plus an attested legal Arabic translation.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
Uzbek banks accept Russian passports without sanctions screening. Easy opening with passport + local SIM.
Plan B: Wise UZS not available — use local bank for domestic, Wise USD for international. Payoneer for freelance income.
Getting paid: Uzbek employers pay into a locally opened account with no sanctions restriction; contractors use local accounts or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY civil documents are accepted without apostille under the CIS legal-assistance conventions; an Uzbek or Russian translation is generally sufficient.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
🇻🇳 Vietnam
Vietnamese banks accept with valid visa. Vietcombank is the most foreigner-friendly. No sanctions friction.
Plan B: Wise VND not available. Use local bank for domestic. Payoneer or Wise USD for international transfers.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-04
Caution
33 countriesEnhanced due diligence — possible but slower
🇦🇺 Australia
Australian banks run sanctions screening. CBA and ANZ accept with valid visa. Russian-origin wire transfers may face delays.
Plan B: Wise AUD account. Payoneer. Up Bank (Australian neobank) opens in minutes with passport + visa.
Australian Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 · Verified 2026-04
🇦🇹 Austria
Erste and Raiffeisen run enhanced due diligence on Russian nationals. Bring non-Russian source-of-funds documentation or expect a 4–8 week review.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN as bridge while local account processes. Revolut LT entity with EU residence.
Getting paid: Austrian employers pay into an Austrian or EU IBAN once residence is granted; salary cannot land in a Russian bank under sanctions; freelancers use Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY documents require an apostille and a sworn (gerichtlich beeidigt) German translation for residence, banking and employment.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇨🇦 Canada
Canadian banks run sanctions screening. RBC and TD accept with valid visa + SIN. Non-Russian source of funds recommended.
Plan B: Wise CAD account. Payoneer. Use Wise while waiting for SIN — it can take weeks after arrival.
Canadian sanctions regulations (SEMA) · Verified 2026-04
🇨🇳 China
China doesn't apply Western sanctions, but major banks (ICBC, CCB, Bank of China) fear US secondary sanctions and reject most Russian-origin transfers. Branch-level policies vary wildly — Shanghai and Beijing branches are more flexible. China Merchants Bank tends to be more willing than the Big Four.
Plan B: UnionPay cards issued in third countries work in China. Alipay and WeChat Pay accept foreign cards for daily payments. Smaller regional banks are more flexible.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-05
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Costa Rica instructed businesses to comply with US sanctions — the only LATAM country to do so. Banco Nacional and BAC Credomatic open accounts with enhanced KYC. Non-residents capped at ~$1,500/month deposits initially.
Plan B: BAC Credomatic is the most foreigner-friendly private bank with dedicated expat reps. Apostille everything, translate to Spanish, bring proof of income.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-05
🇭🇷 Croatia
Croatian banks (Zagrebačka, PBZ) accept with enhanced KYC since EU accession. Non-Russian fund source required.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN. Revolut LT entity.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇩🇰 Denmark
Danske Bank and Nordea run enhanced due diligence. Non-Russian income trail required. CPR number needed before opening an account.
Plan B: Wise EUR/DKK IBAN. Revolut LT entity (use while waiting for CPR).
Getting paid: Danish employers pay into a Danish or EU IBAN after you have a CPR number and residence; salary to a Russian bank is blocked by sanctions; contractors use Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY documents need an apostille plus a certified Danish or English translation; apostilled Russian documents are still accepted.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇫🇮 Finland
With a valid residence permit and Finnish personal identity code, RU nationals can open a basic payment account at Nordea, OP or S-Bank — banks must offer basic services to legal residents — but face enhanced sanctions/KYC screening, long delays, and limits on credit and investment products.
Plan B: Wise and Revolut are widely used with a Finnish/EU address to get a working IBAN for salary and daily spending while a full Finnish account is pending or restricted.
Getting paid: Finnish employers pay salary into a local or EU IBAN once you hold a residence permit and personal identity code; Russian-bank deposits are effectively impossible under EU sanctions; contractors can invoice via Wise or Payoneer to an EU account.
Documents: Russian/Belarusian certificates and diplomas need an apostille (issued at home) plus an authorised Finnish translation for residence, banking and employment; apostilled Russian documents are still accepted.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended; FIN-FSA reg. 4/2023 · Verified 2026-07
🇫🇷 France
BNP Paribas and Société Générale accept with enhanced due diligence. Proof of legal residence + non-Russian income trail required.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN. Revolut FR entity accepts with French address. N26 with EU residence.
Getting paid: French employers pay into a French or EU IBAN once you hold a residence permit; salary cannot go to a Russian bank under sanctions; contractors invoice via Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY documents require an apostille plus a certified (traducteur assermenté) French translation for the prefecture, banking and employment.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇩🇪 Germany
Sperrkonto (blocked account) required before visa. Russian bank transfers rejected — route funds through a Georgian or Armenian bank.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN (fund from non-RU source). N26 accepts with EU residence. Revolut LT entity works with EU address.
Getting paid: German employers pay into a German or EU IBAN after residence is granted; deposits to a Russian bank are blocked by EU sanctions; freelancers use Wise or Payoneer into an EU account.
Documents: RU/BY birth, marriage, criminal-record and diploma documents require an apostille plus a sworn (beeidigt) German translation; apostilled Russian documents remain accepted.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇬🇷 Greece
Greek banks run standard EU sanctions checks. Enhanced documentation for Russian nationals but no blanket ban. Expect 2–4 week review.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN. Revolut LT entity. N26 with EU residence.
Getting paid: Greek employers pay into a Greek or EU IBAN after you have an AFM and residence; Russian-bank deposits are effectively impossible under sanctions; contractors use Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY documents need an apostille plus an official Greek translation (lawyer or Foreign Ministry service); apostilled Russian documents remain accepted.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
Hong Kong doesn't mandate Western sanctions compliance, but HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Citibank voluntarily restrict Russian clients to protect their own US/EU market access. Virtual banks like ZA Bank and Livi Bank are faster and more flexible on nationality.
Plan B: ZA Bank (digital, quick onboarding). Livi Bank. Having an HK address or employer dramatically improves your odds.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-05
🇭🇺 Hungary
Hungary is more relaxed in practice than most EU states, but EU sanctions screening still applies. OTP Bank accepts with standard KYC.
Plan B: Wise EUR/HUF. Revolut LT entity. OTP is the path of least resistance for locals.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇮🇪 Ireland
Irish banks (AIB, Bank of Ireland) accept with enhanced due diligence. Non-Russian source of funds required. PPS number needed first.
Plan B: Wise EUR/GBP IBAN. Revolut IE entity (Irish IBAN). N26 with EU residence.
Getting paid: Irish employers pay into an Irish or EU IBAN after arrival and a PPSN; salary to a Russian bank is not viable under sanctions; contractors use Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY documents need an apostille and a certified English translation; apostilled Russian documents are still accepted (Ireland is an Apostille party).
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇮🇱 Israel
Israeli banks run enhanced KYC on Russian nationals. Leumi and Hapoalim accept but process takes 2–4 weeks with extra documentation.
Plan B: Wise USD/EUR (no ILS IBAN). Payoneer Israel office supports local withdrawals. Use Wise while bank processes.
Israeli AML/CFT screening framework · Verified 2026-04
🇮🇹 Italy
Italian banks run EU sanctions screening. Non-Russian source of funds required. UniCredit and Intesa accept with enhanced KYC.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN. Revolut LT entity. N26 with EU residence.
Getting paid: Italian employers pay into an Italian or EU IBAN after you have a codice fiscale and residence; Russian-bank salary is blocked by sanctions; contractors use Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY certificates and diplomas need an apostille plus a sworn (traduzione giurata/asseverata) Italian translation.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇯🇵 Japan
Japanese banks require residence card (zairyu card). MUFG and SMBC accept but process is slow for all foreigners, not just Russians.
Plan B: Wise JPY (limited — no local account number). Revolut JP entity. Sony Bank is the most foreigner-friendly traditional option.
Japan Foreign Exchange Act sanctions · Verified 2026-04
🇳🇱 Netherlands
No blanket ban — ING and ABN AMRO accept with enhanced KYC. Source-of-funds from a non-Russian bank required. Employer-paid salary simplifies it.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN. Bunq accepts with EU residence (Dutch neobank). Revolut LT entity.
Getting paid: Dutch employers pay into a Dutch or EU IBAN after you have a BSN and residence; Russian-bank deposits are blocked by EU sanctions; freelancers use Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY certificates and diplomas need an apostille and a sworn (beëdigd) Dutch translation; apostilled Russian documents remain accepted.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇳🇿 New Zealand
NZ Russia Sanctions Act (2022) targets designated entities, not all Russian nationals. ANZ, Westpac, BNZ, and ASB screen against sanctions lists. Banks have wide discretion to refuse — individual branches may reject you even if the law doesn't require it.
Plan B: ASB and Kiwibank are sometimes more pragmatic than the Aussie-owned banks. Payoneer works from NZ with proof of local residence.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-05
🇳🇴 Norway
Norway implements EU sanctions via EEA. With a residence permit, the €100k deposit cap lifts and DNB/Nordea will open accounts. Without one — effectively blocked.
Plan B: Wise EUR/NOK IBAN (requires EEA residence proof since late 2025). Get residence permit sorted first, then approach DNB.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-05
🇵🇦 Panama
Panama has no autonomous Russia sanctions, but USD correspondent banking goes through the US (OFAC screening). Banco General, Banistmo, and Multibank accept foreigners with passport, bank reference letter, and proof of income. Russian passport means enhanced due diligence.
Plan B: Friendly Nations Visa holders get smoother banking access. Arrive with all documents apostilled and translated to Spanish. Some banks want a local Panamanian address first.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-05
🇵🇱 Poland
Polish banks accept with enhanced KYC. Popular intermediate-banking hub for Russians relocating to EU — mBank and PKO accessible.
Plan B: Wise EUR/PLN IBAN. Revolut PL entity (Polish IBAN). Many Russians use Polish mBank as their EU stepping-stone account.
Getting paid: Polish employers pay into a Polish or EU IBAN once residence is granted; salary to a Russian bank is effectively impossible under sanctions; contractors use Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY documents require an apostille plus a sworn (przysięgły) Polish translation for residence, banking and employment.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇵🇹 Portugal
Source-of-funds scrutiny is high. Use a non-Russian financial institution. NIF required before you can open any Portuguese bank account.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN (get NIF first, then use Wise statements as income proof). Revolut LT entity. N26 with EU residence.
Getting paid: Portuguese employers pay into a Portuguese or EU IBAN once you have residence and an NIF; salary to a Russian bank is not viable under sanctions; contractors use Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY documents need an apostille and a certified Portuguese translation for AIMA, banking and work; apostille from Russian authorities is still accepted.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇷🇴 Romania
Romanian banks run EU sanctions checks. Enhanced KYC for Russian nationals but generally accessible with residency permit.
Plan B: Wise EUR/RON IBAN. Revolut RO entity (Romanian IBAN).
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇸🇬 Singapore
Singapore banks (DBS, OCBC) run strict KYC on all nationalities. Russian nationals face additional MAS-mandated sanctions checks.
Plan B: Wise SGD account. Revolut SG entity. GrabPay for day-to-day while bank processes (2–4 weeks typical).
MAS sanctions screening framework · Verified 2026-04
🇸🇰 Slovakia
EU sanctions apply despite Slovakia's vocal opposition. Tatra banka, VÚB, and Slovenská sporiteľňa run standard EU screening — Fico's rhetoric doesn't reach the compliance desk.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN. Tatra banka has expat services. Get a Slovak residence permit and the €100k cap lifts.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-05
🇸🇮 Slovenia
Full EU sanctions apply. €100k deposit cap without residence. NLB and SKB open accounts with a valid residence permit — mass card freezes in late 2025 caught even valid visa holders.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN (requires EU residence proof). Get residence permit sorted first. Revolut and N26 equally strict on sanctions compliance in the EU.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-05
🇰🇷 South Korea
Korean banks require ARC (alien registration card). Enhanced screening for Russian nationals at Kookmin and Shinhan. Plan for extra paperwork.
Plan B: Wise KRW (limited). Payoneer. Toss Bank (Korean neobank, requires ARC). Use Wise until ARC is issued.
Korean sanctions screening (MOFA) · Verified 2026-04
🇪🇸 Spain
Russian bank accounts not accepted for income proof. Route salary through a non-Russian bank for 3+ months before applying.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN (use as salary deposit for 3+ months, then show as income proof). Revolut LT entity. N26 with EU residence.
Getting paid: Spanish employers pay into a Spanish or EU IBAN after you obtain residence and an NIE; salary cannot land in a Russian bank under sanctions; freelancers invoice via Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY certificates and diplomas require an apostille plus a sworn (jurada) Spanish translation for residence, banking and diploma homologation.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇸🇪 Sweden
Swedish banks (SEB, Swedbank) require personnummer + non-Russian source of funds. Enhanced KYC adds 2–6 weeks.
Plan B: Wise EUR/SEK IBAN. Revolut LT entity (use while waiting for personnummer — can take months).
Getting paid: Swedish employers pay into a Swedish or EU IBAN once you have a personnummer and residence; Russian-bank deposits are not viable under sanctions; freelancers use Wise or Payoneer.
Documents: RU/BY documents require an apostille and an authorised (auktoriserad) Swedish translation; apostilled Russian documents remain accepted.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇹🇼 Taiwan
Taiwan's sanctions focus on export controls (semiconductors), not personal banking. CTBC, Cathay United, and E.SUN open accounts with an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate). Russian passport triggers extra KYC but isn't an automatic rejection.
Plan B: Chunghwa Post for a basic account without ARC. LINE Pay and JKoPay for daily payments once you have a local account.
Local banking regulations · Verified 2026-05
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
UK banks run enhanced source-of-funds checks on Russian nationals. HSBC and Barclays accept — expect 4–8 weeks of due diligence.
Plan B: Wise GBP IBAN (immediate, use while waiting for traditional bank). Revolut UK entity. Monzo accepts with UK address.
UK Sanctions & Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 · Verified 2026-04
🇺🇸 United States
US banks run OFAC sanctions screening. Not banned — but Russian-origin wire transfers face correspondent-bank delays. Chase and BofA accept with valid visa.
Plan B: Wise USD account (full US routing/account numbers). Payoneer USD. Mercury (for business). Wire from non-Russian bank to avoid OFAC delays.
OFAC/CAATSA sanctions framework · Verified 2026-04
Blocked
3 countriesVisa or account opening effectively blocked
🇨🇿 Czech Republic
Czech Republic suspended visa issuance to Russian citizens in 2022. No bank account without legal residency — and residency is effectively blocked.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN still works for receiving payments if you already have EU residence elsewhere. No local workaround.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇪🇪 Estonia
Estonia categorically blocked Russian nationals from entry visas in 2022. No visa = no bank account = no address = dead end.
Plan B: Wise EUR IBAN (registered elsewhere). No local path whatsoever.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Swiss banks froze Russian assets under EU-aligned sanctions. UBS and most cantonal banks reject new Russian-passport applications outright.
Plan B: Wise CHF balance (not a full account). Revolut doesn't operate in CH. Payoneer for freelance income only.
EU Council Regulation 833/2014, as amended · Verified 2026-04