In simple terms
The Faster Payments System (Система быстрых платежей, СБП — SBP) is a "bridge" between banks. Sending money from a card at one bank to a card at another used to cost 1–1.5% and take time. With SBP you only need the recipient's phone number: money arrives within a few seconds, around the clock, even at weekends. The system was created by the Bank of Russia, and almost every bank in the country is connected to it.
With SBP you can:
- send money to people by phone number;
- move money between your own accounts in different banks;
- pay in shops and online by QR code;
- receive refunds for purchases and payments from companies.
Limits and fees in 2026
| Operation | Free of charge | Above the limit |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to other people | up to 100,000 ₽ a month | up to 0.5% of the amount, maximum 1,500 ₽ per transfer |
| Between your own accounts in different banks | up to 30 million ₽ a month | according to the bank's tariffs |
| Paying for purchases by QR code | free for the buyer | — |
A bank may set a higher free threshold, but not lower than 100,000 ₽. A single transfer is usually limited — often to 1 million ₽; check the exact limit in your bank's tariffs.
Worked example
In October you sent 70,000 ₽ to a friend and then 50,000 ₽ to your mum. That is 120,000 ₽ in total — 20,000 ₽ over the free limit. If your bank charges the maximum 0.5% on the amount above the limit, the fee is:
20,000 × 0.5% = 100 ₽
And if you send 600,000 ₽ to another person after the limit is used up, 0.5% would be 3,000 ₽, but the fee is capped at 1,500 ₽. Sending the same 600,000 ₽ to your own account in another bank is free.
How to send money
- In your banking app, choose "Transfer by phone number" or "Via SBP".
- Enter the number and choose the recipient's bank.
- Check the recipient's name (you see the first name and the first letter of the surname) and confirm the transfer.
To receive money into a particular bank, set it as your "default bank" in the SBP settings.
How to avoid mistakes
- A transfer cannot be cancelled. If you entered the wrong number, ask the recipient to return the money or contact your bank — it can only be returned with the recipient's consent or through the court.
- Fraudsters. Never transfer money to a "safe account" at the request of a "bank employee" or "the police" — such accounts do not exist.
- Many transfers from strangers. Frequent payments from different people followed by quick withdrawals may look like money laundering to the bank, and it may block your account under Law 115-FZ.
- Someone else's name. If the recipient's name is not the one you expect, stop and check.
In Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus
Russia
The operator is the Bank of Russia; the system is run by NSPK (НСПК, National Payment Card System). Transfers to other people are free up to 100,000 ₽ a month; above that the fee is no more than 0.5% and no more than 1,500 ₽ per transfer. Between your own accounts it is free up to 30 million ₽ a month.
Kazakhstan
A similar service is the instant payment system of the National Bank of Kazakhstan: transfers between different banks by phone number and payment by QR code.
Belarus
The equivalent is the instant payment system (СМП) of the National Bank of Belarus: transfers by phone number between participating banks.
Sources: SBP: official website («Система быстрых платежей»), Bank of Russia: Faster Payments System