Sale and donation of housing will be allowed to be issued using biometrics: new registration rules from July 1, 2026

From July 1, 2026, new rules for registration of real estate transactions will come into force in Russia, which will allow citizens to remotely register the transfer of ownership using biometric data. Biometrics will become an additional identity verification tool along with enhanced qualified electronic signature and authorization through the Gosuslugi portal. Which transactions will fall under the new rule and how secure the system is — in the Izvestia article.

What regulatory framework will the new system operate on?

The possibility of using biometric data for remote registration of real estate transactions is provided for by Federal Law No. 133-FZ dated June 7, 2025 "On Amendments to Article 36.2 of the Federal Law "On State Registration of Real Estate". The document comes into force on July 1, 2026.

As explained in the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography (Rosreestr), the law introduces a fundamentally new mechanism for online registration. Currently, in order to submit documents in electronic form, the copyright holder must make a special note in advance in the Unified State Register of Real Estate on consent to electronic transactions by personally contacting the MFC. The new rule allows you to bypass this stage.

"From July 1, 2026, citizens will be able to remotely register a real estate transaction without having an entry in the EGRN about the possibility of submitting an application in electronic form, if the transaction documents are signed with an enhanced qualified electronic signature, and the identity of the copyright holder is confirmed by biometrics in a Single biometric system," the Rosreestr reported.

What biometrics will be used and how to register it

The online real estate transaction protection service will operate on the basis of the State Unified Biometric System (EBS), the state information platform for the Unified System of Identification and Authentication of Individuals using Biometric Personal Data. According to Konstantin Yaroslavsky, a representative of the Center for Biometric Technologies, two biometric modalities are used in the EBS — a photo image of a face and a voice recording.

— Both modalities will be used in the service, which will ensure the maximum level of reliability of identity verification. Fingerprints or iris biometrics are not used in the services of the Unified Biometric System," he clarified.

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Registration of biometrics of the required level is possible in authorized banks — in more than 11 thousand branches throughout the country. In addition, there is a free on-site check-in service. After submitting biometrics, the user is in full control of their data.

— On the Gosuslugi portal, you can check the validity of biometrics, revoke consent to its processing, or completely delete data from the system. Biometric samples are stored in encrypted form and never leave the perimeter of a Single Biometric System,— Konstantin Yaroslavsky explained.

Which transactions will be subject to the new rule

The use of biometrics is provided for when registering the transfer of ownership of real estate online. This means that using biometrics, it will be possible to remotely arrange transactions for the purchase and sale of real estate.

Lease transactions are not covered by the new rule. Biometrics also does not replace the enhanced qualified electronic signature (UCEP), but is used exclusively in addition to it.

— In accordance with the law, biometrics will be used along with the UKEP, which already ensures the reliability of the property rights registration mechanism. The combination of these factors and mandatory authorization in the ESIA will ensure the maximum level of protection for citizens," Konstantin Yaroslavsky noted.

How does the new order differ from the current one?

The Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation (Mincifra) recalled that the opportunity to register the transfer of ownership of real estate online already exists.

— This can be done at Gosuslugi by signing the application with an enhanced qualified electronic signature (UKEP). The service is available to those who applied to the MFC in advance and allowed electronic transactions, the department explained.

From July 1, 2026, this stage will become optional when using biometrics.

— With the remote registration of the transfer of ownership in Rosreestr, along with other methods, it will be possible to use biometrics from a Single Biometric System. In this case, a preliminary appeal to the MFC will not be required," the press service of the Ministry of Finance reported.

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How safe is the use of biometrics?

Experts emphasize that biometrics is being introduced as an additional level of protection, and not as the only way to identify. As a result, the online transaction will be protected by three independent tools at once: enhanced qualified electronic signature, biometrics and ESIA authorization.

— To date, the only tool for protecting online transactions is the UKEP. With the introduction of biometrics, citizens receive three protection factors at once instead of one," explained Konstantin Yaroslavsky, a representative of the Center for Biometric Technologies.

According to him, the reliability of biometric technologies is confirmed by practice. To date, more than 200 million payment transactions using biometrics have already been carried out in Russia, and, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, no fraudulent transactions have been recorded.

The Unified Biometric System uses only domestic cryptographic and software solutions. Biometric data is stored in encrypted form separately from personal data — there are no full names, addresses and other identifiers in the system. Outside of the EBS, only impersonal biometric vectors are used.

— All biometric services use liveness detection, a technology for determining vitality that allows you to distinguish a person from his imitation. Therefore, the EBS will not be able to deceive with the help of photographs, videos, masks, deepfakes or other fakes," Konstantin Yaroslavsky emphasized.

Is biometrics mandatory and can I opt out of it?

The Ministry of Finance stressed that the use of biometric data remains voluntary. Citizens will be able to choose a convenient way to complete a transaction, including a traditional personal appeal or electronic registration with a preliminary visit to the MFC.

— Biometric technologies are a reliable and secure tool for remote identification verification. Their use is voluntary, and there is always an alternative option for obtaining public services," the ministry said.

You can delete your data from the Unified Biometric System at any time, including through the Gosuslugi portal.