Russia

Always carry your passport with you as ID. Police carry out random checks, especially during periods of high security. You could get a fine or be detained for up to 48 hours if you cannot show your passport when asked. Copies are not accepted.

You can be prosecuted for possessing even small quantities of any drugs, including cannabis. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.

Airports in Russia have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

Access to some areas, such as military and border zones, is restricted. You must get permission from local authorities before entering. If you do not have permission, the authorities may arrest, fine or deport you.

You can find a list of restricted areas online (in Russian, you may not be able access the site from outside of Russia). Check with your tour operator or the Russian Embassy in the UK if you’re unsure whether a tour or excursion will take you into a restricted area.

Photography is illegal  at any military, secure or official sites, including airports. There may not be warning signs in locations where photography is banned. You could be detained or arrested if you break the law.

Due to current military activities, it is illegal to use drones in some regions. Check restrictions with the local authorities.

You must get permission from the Russian aviation authority (in Russian) before using any unmanned aircraft systems (drones) in Russian airspace. You must tell them the flight route at least 24 hours in advance and keep in regular contact with them before and during the flight. You will get a fine if you do not comply.

If you travel to Russia with a non-Russian SIM card, you may not be able to access mobile internet, SMS or other services. Buying a local-network SIM card in Russia can be difficult for visitors and could take up to 2 weeks to complete. Make sure your friends and relatives know how to contact you if your mobile phone does not work.

You need to present your passport or other ID and pass biometric checks to buy a Russian sim card from local providers in Russia. You may be asked to perform these checks even if you have had a local SIM for some time. 

You can continue using your UK SIM in Russia without any local identity checks as long as your UK mobile company provides roaming service for Russia.

Any SIM which has not been connected to the Russian network for 72 hours will not be able to connect to the internet or send SMS when they are first switched on. You may have to wait for some time for the services to resume. This may vary from several hours to several days.  Some networks may allow you to complete a set of actions to get your access restored quicker. 

Make sure friends and relatives know how to contact you if your mobile phone does not work.

There are increasing restrictions to limit access to content posted on the internet, including social media platforms. Meta (Facebook and Instagram), X and LinkedIn are blocked in Russia. Access to other websites can be unreliable.

More information is available from the Federal Service for Surveillance of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (in Russian).

Most visitors experience no problems, but racial discrimination can happen in some areas. If you’re of African, Asian or Caribbean descent, you may receive unwanted attention in public places. Take care, particularly when travelling late at night.

Homosexuality is not illegal in Russia but there are considerable legislative restrictions which target the LGBT+ community. In January 2024 a Russian Supreme Court judgement came into force banning the so-called ‘international LGBT movement’ and designating it as ‘extremist’. ‘LGBT propaganda’ legislation bans people from promoting ‘non-traditional sexual relations’. If charged, foreign citizens could face: 

• fines 
• up to 15 days in jail
• deportation

Attitudes towards the LGBT+ community and LGBT+ issues are less tolerant than in the UK and vary in different locations. Government officials have made derogatory comments to LGBT+ individuals. Same-sex couples showing affection in public may receive negative attention.

There are no laws to protect LGBT+ people from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Recent laws targeting LGBT+ communities include:  

• in 2012, Moscow Pride was banned for 100 years  
• in 2022, a ban on the ‘demonstration of LGBT information, promotion of non-traditional sexual relations and change of gender’ to children and adults through the internet, films, advertisement, audio visual services and books (the “gay propaganda” law)

In November 2023, the Russian Supreme Court banned the so-called ‘international LGBT movement’, designating it as ‘extremist’. The court provided no definition of ‘international LGBT movement’.

Displaying ‘extremist’ symbols and being a member of and donating money to ‘extremist’ organisations are criminal offences. This decision came in to force in January 2024. It is unclear how the authorities will implement the ruling but there have been reports of persecution for displaying the rainbow flag, considered by the authorities as a ‘symbol of an extremist organisation’.

Harassment, threats and acts of violence towards the LGBT+ community have increased.

The North Caucasus republics are particularly intolerant of the LGBT+ community. There have been reports of the arrest, torture and killing of gay men in Chechnya, allegedly conducted by Chechen regional authorities.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Russia has banned surrogacy for all foreign nationals except those married to Russian citizens. Read about surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries.

Some religious activities are restricted, including preaching and distributing religious materials.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are considered an extremist organisation in Russia. They can face harassment from authorities, including detention, particularly at places of worship.

Some other minority religious groups, like Scientologists, also face discrimination.