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- Without refusals and hidden deductions: how the rules of hotel reservations will change in Russia starting in 2026
Without refusals and hidden deductions: how the rules of hotel reservations will change in Russia starting in 2026
Starting from March 1, 2026, new rules for the provision of hotel services will come into force in Russia. Now it will be possible to check into the hotel not only with an internal passport, but also with a foreign passport or even a driver's license. The changes will affect the order of booking, refund of payment and interaction with online aggregators. About how it will be possible to check into a hotel, see the Izvestia article.
New rules for hotels in Russia in 2026: what is changing for tourists
New rules for the provision of hotel services, approved by the government, will come into force in Russia on March 1, 2026. The document will replace the current regulations and establish uniform requirements for hotels, apartment hotels, hostels and other accommodation facilities, including in terms of interaction with online aggregators.
The key changes relate to the unification of contract requirements, cancellation rules, and a list of identity documents.
Starting in March 2026, hotels will be required to accept not only an internal passport of a Russian citizen, but also a foreign one. Refusal of accommodation due to the absence of an internal passport will be considered a violation of the law.
— The Russian passport is not the only document that proves identity on the territory of the Russian Federation. A foreign passport can also be provided, and they will have to check in. Such a refusal would be unlawful," said Alla Georgieva, a lawyer, member of the Guild of Realtors of Moscow, and a member of the committee of the Russian Guild of Realtors for GR, in a conversation with Izvestia.
One of the main innovations is the ability to check into hotels with a driver's license. This rule will take effect from January 2026. The changes also eliminate the practice of non-guaranteed booking, when the reservation is cancelled if the guest does not arrive by a certain hour. Now the hotel is obliged to wait for the client during the day from the moment of the planned arrival until the check-out time of the next day and cannot cancel the reservation during this period.
The order of cancellation of the reservation by the tourist himself is also prescribed in a new way: if the accommodation is refused before the day of arrival, the payment is refunded in full. If a guest reports late, is late, or does not show up, they may be charged no more than the cost of one night's stay. At the same time, the hotel has the right to refuse accommodation only with compensation for the damage caused in accordance with the procedure established by law.
Starting in March 2026, all hotels and other accommodation facilities must be entered in a special register, otherwise they cannot be booked through online aggregators. This is intended to make the market more transparent and strengthen consumer protection. The information about the services now necessarily indicates the size of the room, the terms and conditions of cancellation of the reservation, and in the contract — the procedure for refunding the prepayment.
Since 2026, hotels are exempt from the obligation to provide guests with boiling water, but they must provide a blood pressure monitor upon request. At the same time, the requirement remains to call an ambulance for free, provide a first-aid kit, hand over correspondence to the guest and wake him up upon request.
Refusal of check-in and refund of funds: where to apply to tourists
In case of refusal to check in or non-refund of funds, several protection mechanisms are available to the tourist. The most expeditious way is to contact the online aggregator through which the reservation was made, since such sites are often able to resolve a dispute between the client and the hotel faster.
As the lawyer explained, the request should indicate that the refusal of accommodation was motivated by the presentation of a passport, which is not a legitimate reason for refusal.
If it is not possible to achieve an operational result, a citizen has the right to apply to supervisory and law enforcement agencies. The choice of instance depends on the nature of the violation and the goal set — to refund funds, fix the offense, or conduct an audit.
— You can file a complaint with Rospotrebnadzor via the website or in person, stating that your rights as a consumer are being violated. To the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Migration issues — with an emphasis on violation of migration registration. To the prosecutor's office — if there are signs of violation of the law, — said Alla Georgieva.
If funds are withheld without legitimate grounds, the dispute may go beyond the scope of civil law relations. In case of significant damage, the actions of the hotel may receive a criminal assessment, since the funds relate to the property.
Problems with hotel reservations
The legal position of the tourist is reinforced by the fact that the booking is considered to be the conclusion of an offer agreement. Refusal to perform such a contract is allowed only with reimbursement of the costs incurred.
— When a person books a room, an offer agreement is concluded. If a refusal occurs, it must be reimbursed — this is not only a reservation, but also a taxi, and other expenses related to check—in," Georgieva notes.
In case of legal proceedings, the tourist has the right to demand:
— refund of the cost of accommodation;
— compensation for moral damage;
— reimbursement of court and related expenses;
— a fine of 50% of the amount awarded for violation of the law on consumer protection.
Experts emphasize that the judicial path remains the longest, but potentially the most profitable. At the same time, tourists should take into account the timing of the consideration of cases and possible delays in the execution of court decisions.
Control of hotel services in Russia
Rospotrebnadzor will remain the main regulatory body in the field of compliance with the new rules, as well as in the field of consumer protection of hotel services in general. This service is authorized to conduct both scheduled and unscheduled inspections, issue orders and impose fines for violations. Her powers are very broad.
— Rospotrebnadzor has the broadest powers: from prescriptions to suspension of activities for up to 90 days. Therefore, this body remains the key regulator," Georgieva notes.
Other departments will also retain their control functions. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will carry out supervision in the field of migration registration, including the correctness of receiving data when checking in with international passports. The Federal Tax Service will continue to monitor compliance with the rules of monetary settlements.
Local governments will retain responsibility for compliance with the requirements in the field of landscaping, fire safety and other local regulations.
At the same time, Rospotrebnadzor, which has the broadest supervisory powers in the field of consumer protection, will play a key role in responding to complaints from tourists related to the new booking and check-in rules. With the introduction of specified requirements, its functions as the main supervisory authority in the consumer segment are enhanced.
The reform of the rules for the provision of hotel services, which will take effect in 2026, is aimed at systematizing the industry and increasing the level of protection for tourists. The consolidation of uniform procedures, the approval of a list of acceptable documents and the formation of a clear liability mechanism should reduce the number of disputes that previously arose due to legal uncertainty.
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