How to Transfer Money from Russia Abroad: 8 Effective Methods
Sanctions and other restrictions have made transferring money abroad more complicated than ever. However, not everything is hopeless—there are several viable options for legally sending funds overseas. Let’s explore how to do it.
Money Transfer Systems and Wallets
Russian systems like “Unistream,” “Golden Crown,” “QuickPay,” and Avosend operate with several countries, including the CIS and some European nations. Options like YuMoney allow you to transfer money to cards issued abroad. However, the limits are not encouraging: for example, with Avosend, you cannot transfer more than ₽800,000 per month, and with “Unistream,” it’s up to ₽1.5 million.
Banks
Transfers through banks have become a real quest. Many banks are disconnected from SWIFT, but some still offer such services, although with fees ranging from 3-10% and a lot of restrictions. For example, Raiffeisenbank recently suspended all outgoing transfers in foreign currency.
Mir Payment Cards
“Mir” system cards are still accepted in a few countries, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. However, even there, things are not smooth: for instance, in Kazakhstan and Armenia, there may be difficulties with accepting such cards.
Foreign Bank Account
Opening an account abroad is another way to transfer funds. However, this comes with bureaucracy and strict requirements. In many countries, you need to provide proof of residency, business, or study. There is also a risk of account blocking, especially for Russians, who banks often consider high-risk clients.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency remains the freest way to move money. You can send bitcoins, ethers, or other coins to almost any part of the world. However, cryptocurrency exchanges are also imposing restrictions, especially for citizens of sanctioned countries, so don't forget about KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures.
Foreign Brokerage Account
You can send money through brokers, mainly for investments. Transfers from brokerage accounts to cash or bank accounts are also possible, but with higher limits and complexities.
Real Estate
Investing in real estate abroad is one of the most complex yet reliable ways to transfer large sums. The essence is that you purchase a property overseas, transferring funds through a special bank account.
Counterparty
In extreme cases, you can negotiate with counterparties. For instance, companies can engage in “barter” arrangements, balancing their accounts.
Sanctions and other restrictions have made transferring money abroad more complicated than ever. However, not everything is hopeless—there are several viable options for legally sending funds overseas. Let’s explore how to do it.
Money Transfer Systems and Wallets
Russian systems like “Unistream,” “Golden Crown,” “QuickPay,” and Avosend operate with several countries, including the CIS and some European nations. Options like YuMoney allow you to transfer money to cards issued abroad. However, the limits are not encouraging: for example, with Avosend, you cannot transfer more than ₽800,000 per month, and with “Unistream,” it’s up to ₽1.5 million.
Banks
Transfers through banks have become a real quest. Many banks are disconnected from SWIFT, but some still offer such services, although with fees ranging from 3-10% and a lot of restrictions. For example, Raiffeisenbank recently suspended all outgoing transfers in foreign currency.
Mir Payment Cards
“Mir” system cards are still accepted in a few countries, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. However, even there, things are not smooth: for instance, in Kazakhstan and Armenia, there may be difficulties with accepting such cards.
Foreign Bank Account
Opening an account abroad is another way to transfer funds. However, this comes with bureaucracy and strict requirements. In many countries, you need to provide proof of residency, business, or study. There is also a risk of account blocking, especially for Russians, who banks often consider high-risk clients.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency remains the freest way to move money. You can send bitcoins, ethers, or other coins to almost any part of the world. However, cryptocurrency exchanges are also imposing restrictions, especially for citizens of sanctioned countries, so don't forget about KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures.
Foreign Brokerage Account
You can send money through brokers, mainly for investments. Transfers from brokerage accounts to cash or bank accounts are also possible, but with higher limits and complexities.
Real Estate
Investing in real estate abroad is one of the most complex yet reliable ways to transfer large sums. The essence is that you purchase a property overseas, transferring funds through a special bank account.
Counterparty
In extreme cases, you can negotiate with counterparties. For instance, companies can engage in “barter” arrangements, balancing their accounts.

Limits and Restrictions
Currently, you can transfer no more than $1 million per month from Russia to your foreign account. However, for transfers through money transfer systems, this limit is only $10,000. Withdrawing salaries abroad for non-residents is also possible but only within the limits of salary payments.
The situation regarding money transfers abroad changes every week, so it’s best to stay alert and check all nuances and fees in advance.
So, if you don’t want to spend time manually tracking exchange rates and searching for the most favorable transfer methods, Waluetta comes to the rescue—it’s like Aviasales, but for money instead of people! This service instantly finds the best offers and does all the dirty work for you.
Try it for yourself! All you need to do is click a button and choose the best route for your money.
Currently, you can transfer no more than $1 million per month from Russia to your foreign account. However, for transfers through money transfer systems, this limit is only $10,000. Withdrawing salaries abroad for non-residents is also possible but only within the limits of salary payments.
The situation regarding money transfers abroad changes every week, so it’s best to stay alert and check all nuances and fees in advance.
So, if you don’t want to spend time manually tracking exchange rates and searching for the most favorable transfer methods, Waluetta comes to the rescue—it’s like Aviasales, but for money instead of people! This service instantly finds the best offers and does all the dirty work for you.
Try it for yourself! All you need to do is click a button and choose the best route for your money.