16.01.2026

THE SPECIAL PROCEDURE FOR DECISION-TAKING BY THE BODIES OF SOME RUSSIAN COMPANIES HAS BEEN EXTENDED

The special procedure for decision-taking by bodies of some Russian organisations has been extended until the end of 2026. In particular, large companies in the energy, engineering and trade sectors can take corporate actions without taking into account the votes of co-owners from unfriendly countries.

15.01.2026

METHODOLOGICAL DOCUMENT ON PROTECTING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' APPLICATION SOFTWARE - A NEW WORDING HAS BEEN APPROVED

A new wording of the methodological document "Profile for Protecting Application Software of Automated Systems and Applications of Credit Institutions and Non-Credit Financial Institutions" has been approved.

The Bank of Russia recommends using the updated document for development and implementation of secure software products while maintaining a guaranteed and sufficient level of security for application software of automated systems and applications used in financial (including banking) transactions.

14.01.2026

THE PROCEDURE FOR PAYING THE ACTUAL VALUE OF A SHARE IN AN LLC HAS BEEN CLARIFIED

The Law on Limited Liability Companies establishes a rule that in the event of disagreement between the person to whom the actual value of a share (part of a share) in the authorised capital of the company, or the company itself, with the determination of the value of net assets based on the financial statements, the valuation of such assets is carried out based on their market value. This concerns cases of withdrawal or exclusion of a participant from the company, as well as some other situations when a share in the authorised capital is transferred to the company.

An application for the specified method of valuation shall be submitted by the relevant participant or company before the expiry of the period for payment of the actual value of the share. The applicant also engages an appraiser, unless otherwise provided by the company's charter.

If, before the expiry of the period for payment of the actual value of the share, its market valuation has not been carried out or there are disagreements between the parties, the company must pay the value of the share in accordance with the general rules - that is, on the basis of the financial statements - with subsequent recalculation taking into account the market value of the share.

It is also envisaged that the option of assessing a share at market value may be enshrined in the company’s charter by default. A similar mechanism can be applied in the event of foreclosure on a share at the request of the participant’s creditors.

13.01.2026

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN A LIST OF INFORMATION THEY MAY NOT DISCLOSE IN 2026

The Bank of Russia has specified the composition of information that is not subject to mandatory publication by the Bank of Russia itself, as well as by credit institutions, foreign banks operating in Russia through branches, non-credit financial companies, entities providing professional services in the financial market, and subjects of the national payment system, on their websites in 2026.

12.01.2026

A SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE FOR IMPORTING SMARTPHONES, TABLETS, LAPTOPS, AND MICROCHIPS INTO RUSSIA WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGH 2026

As specified on the Russian Government's website, the simplified procedure shall apply to obtaining notifications for smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers, microchips, and radios. Typically, to obtain notification for importing such devices or equipment into Russia, their manufacturer must file an application with the authorised organisation - the Center for Licensing, Certification, and Protection of State Secrets of the FSB of Russia. The simplified procedure allows notifications to be issued by industry associations.

09.01.2026

THE KEY RATE HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 16% PER ANNUM

On December 19, 2025, the Bank of Russia decided to reduce the key rate by 50 bps to 16% per annum.

The Central Bank of the Russian Federation will maintain such tight monetary conditions as are necessary to bring inflation back to its target. According to the forecast of the Bank of Russia, annual inflation will decrease to 4-5% in 2026. In 2027 and beyond, it will be on target level.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia on the level of the key rate is scheduled for February 13, 2026.

08.01.2026

IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED WHICH SERVICES CAN BE PROVIDED BY RESIDENTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL TERRITORY OF ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT

Starting in 2026, the Far Eastern Federal District will create favourable conditions for implementing projects with foreign partners to produce high-value-added products. The list of types of work (services) performed (provided) by residents of the international territory of advanced development has been approved. These include:

- overhaul and modernisation of aircraft and engines;

- wireless telecommunications services;

- services in the area of IT, engineering design, technical testing;

- services related to scientific research and experimental development in the area of biotechnology, information security, and in the area of technical sciences and technologies;

- services (works) in the area of information protection and ensuring the security of critical information infrastructure.

07.01.2026

IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED WHAT INFORMATION NON-CREDIT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS MAY NOT DISCLOSE IN 2026

It lists information that non-credit financial institutions, including central counterparties and central depositories, may not disclose in 2026. Decisions on these issues were also taken for 2024 and 2025.

This decision of the Bank of Russia does not cancel the obligations established by federal laws or acts of the Central Bank to provide the regulator and other persons with information that is permitted not to be disclosed.

30.12.2025

VAT TO BE APPLIED TO FOREIGN GOODS PURCHASED BY INDIVIDUALS VIA MARKETPLACES WHEN IMPORTING SUCH GOODS INTO RUSSIA

The need for the proposed changes is due to the adoption (on December 25, 2023) of the Protocol Amending the Treaty on the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union, which establishes a separate procedure for customs operations, customs declaration, and the payment of customs duties and taxes in respect of e-commerce goods originating outside the EAEU member states.

Pursuant to Item 3 of Article 26 of the EAEU Customs Code, customs duties are payable in respect of e-commerce goods, while the obligation to pay and the procedure for the payment of taxes (VAT and excise duties) on such goods are determined by national legislation.

The Protocol shall enter into force on the date on which the depositary, through diplomatic channels, receives the last written notification from the EAEU Member States confirming the completion of the domestic procedures required for its entry into force.

It is planned that the tax will be payable by foreign sellers and Russian marketplaces that sell goods from abroad. The tax is to be introduced with a phased increase in the rate: from 5% in 2027 to 20% by 2030.

29.12.2025

BANK OF RUSSIA HAS UPDATED ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROCEDURE FOR PROVIDING DOCUMENTS (OR COPIES THEREOF) TO SHAREHOLDERS

New Instructions of the Bank of Russia has been published, establishing additional requirements for the procedures in compliance with which joint-stock companies must provide documents or copies of documents specified in Item 11 of Article 91 of the Law on Joint-Stock Companies.

Among other things, the new Instructions clarify that if a request for access to documents does not specify a specific method of providing access to the documents (inspection of the documents or provision of copies), the company must provide the documents for inspection.

26.12.2025

COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN THE TAX INFORMATION EXCHANGE WITH THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION: UPDATED LISTS

New lists of states (territories) have been approved:

- those with which automatic exchange of financial information is carried out - the list includes 71 countries and 9 territories;

- those whose competent authorities carry out the automatic exchange of country-by-country reports - the list includes 60 states and 6 territories.

The profit of a controlled foreign company (CFC) shall be exempt from taxation if the permanent place of location of such CFC is a state (territory) with which the Russian Federation has an international treaty on taxation matters, except for states (territories) that do not ensure the exchange of information with Russia for tax purposes.

Tax authorities may request reports directly from Russian participants of multinational enterprise groups located in such jurisdictions.

25.12.2025

RUSSIA HAS DECIDED TO ISSUE DEBT DIGITAL FINANCIAL ASSETS

The specifics of issuing debt digital financial assets have been established.

They certify exclusively a monetary claim in the amount of the purchase price of digital financial assets by their first owner and the interest accrued on it.

24.12.2025

ON CREDIT RATINGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW ON NON-STATE PENSION FUNDS

Credit rating levels have been established to be applied from December 14, 2025, in order to comply with the Law on Non-State Pension Funds. Credit institutions in which, in particular, bank accounts are opened for recording pension reserves and carrying out transactions with pension savings must comply with them.

23.12.2025

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE RUSSIAN RED CROSS HAVE BEEN ENSHRINED IN LAW

The Law defines the legal status of the Russian Red Cross, its goals and objectives, as well as the structure, and the organisational and property foundations of its activities.

The Russian Red Cross provides charitable, humanitarian, medical, social, medico-social, and other forms of assistance; it is engaged in improving the quality and life expectancy of the population and in disseminating the knowledge necessary to achieve these aims. The law provides for the operation of regional and local branches. Membership in the Russian Red Cross may be held by any citizen, as well as by foreign nationals and stateless persons that are lawfully present in the Russian Federation and participate in the activities of the organisation, except in cases established by federal laws.

22.12.2025

IT IS PLANNED TO INCREASE THE VOLUME OF PURCHASES OF DOMESTIC ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS

Following the Digital Solutions forum, the head of the Russian government issued the following instructions.

Instructions have been given to prepare proposals aimed at stimulating the purchase of first and second level electronic products.

It is planned to establish requirements for cloud infrastructure for hosting corporate critical information infrastructure systems.

To strengthen counteraction to new cyber threats and ensure the security of the country's digital ecosystem, a centre for comparative analysis of information security tools will be established.

A roadmap for implementing a project to export Russian goods and solutions using digital platforms needs to be developed. It should include measures to protect against the sale of counterfeit products. A verified supply chain will be created on the basis of marketplaces using product origin tracking technologies.

A pilot project will be launched to use digital platforms to submit documentation for goods to customs authorities.

19.12.2025

TEMPORARY VISA-FREE REGIME HAS BEEN INTRODUCED FOR CHINESE CITIZENS TO ENTER RUSSIA

Until September 14, 2026, inclusive, citizens of China may enter Russia and stay in the country for up to 30 days on a guest or business visit, as tourists, to participate in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic, or sporting events, transit through Russia, and leave the country without a visa using a regular Chinese citizen's passport. This is a mirror-like response to the introduction of a visa-free entry regime for Russian citizens by the Chinese authorities.

The visa-free regime does not apply to Chinese citizens entering Russia for the purpose of employment, including journalistic work, education, or residence in Russia, as well as to drivers and crew members of vehicles engaged in international road transport, freight forwarders, and translators accompanying such vehicles.

18.12.2025

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERRING FUNDS ABROAD FOR CITIZENS OF RUSSIA AND FRIENDLY COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN LIFTED

From December 8, 2025, previously established limits on foreign currency transfers abroad for Russian citizens and non-resident individuals from friendly countries are lifted.

The following restrictions remain in place until June 7, 2026:

- non-resident individuals from unfriendly countries working in Russia can transfer funds abroad in the amount of their salaries;

- a ban on transferring funds abroad for individuals who are non-residents from unfriendly countries and who do not work in Russia, as well as for legal entities from such countries. This does not apply to foreign companies controlled by Russian legal entities or individuals.

These prohibitions do not apply to transactions involving the transfer of funds from “In” type accounts to accounts abroad carried out by foreign investors who invest in the Russian financial market.

Banks from unfriendly countries can transfer funds in roubles using correspondent accounts opened in Russian credit institutions if the payer or recipient accounts are opened in foreign banks.