Russia Is to Let Digital ID Replace Passports for Hotel Check-Ins

By the start of the summer travel season, Russian citizens will be able to check into hotels across the country using a QR code instead of a paper passport. The change is set out in a government document, with the new rule scheduled to take effect on March 28.

The digital check-in format continues Russia’s broader push to expand the use of digital ID, which is already accepted as a full form of identity verification in a number of cases. Since 2025, it has been allowed for entry to age-restricted cinemas and museums, access to office buildings with controlled entry, purchases of 18+ products, and at post offices when sending or receiving mail.

User Account

The digital ID is generated using data from the Gosuslugi portal (Russia’s unified public services platform) and is available to Russian citizens aged 18 and over. Creating one requires a verified account, along with either a new-generation international passport or a driver’s license. Users can also opt to register using biometric data. Each digital ID is linked to a single mobile device and secured with facial recognition or fingerprint authentication.

Using a QR code for hotel check-ins is expected to further simplify customer services and reduce paperwork for both travelers and hotel operators. The digital format does not replace traditional identification methods and will be used alongside the standard passport.

Previously, guests were also given the option to confirm their identity at check-in via the national messenger Max, provided they already had a digital profile and a verified digital ID. This allowed hotels to integrate registration with government digital services and speed up guest processing. The new measure is expected to make travel even more convenient for tourists.