New BNPL rules take effect
Operators of buy now, pay later (BNPL) services – intermediaries helping people pay for goods, works, and services in instalments – are now subject to the Bank of Russia’s supervision. As of 1 April 2026, the register includes 14 organisations.
The law establishing requirements for BNPL operators has become effective, making BNPL services free for consumers. It prohibits setting different prices for one and the same product depending on whether it is purchased under a BNPL plan or not.
The law establishes the maximum period of six months for a BNPL plan, which becomes applicable on 1 April 2026. From 1 April 2028, this period will be shortened to four months.
Information about outstanding debt of over ₽50,000 owed to a single BNPL operator will be transferred to credit history bureaus. This will help banks and microfinance organisations better estimate borrowers’ DSTI when considering a loan or microloan application.
The penalty for delaying such payments is limited to 20% per annum of the amount of arrears, which protects people against excessive debt accumulation.
The regulator admits BNPL operators to the financial market and maintains the register of these entities. The materials about the admission procedure are available on the Bank of Russia website.