The border between Russia and Abkhazia: description, features of the passage and documents

Abkhazia is often called "country of the soul". Thanks to the hospitality of local residents and the beauty of nature, this state is one of the favorite places for holding summer holidays among our compatriots. All the advantages of rest in Abkhazia are obvious: there is no language barrier, there is no need to change the currency, there is no need to issue a visa or a passport. Where does the Russian-Abkhaz border pass and what do you need to know for its successful transition?

General information about the checkpoint

Between the Russian Federation and Abkhazia, a significant part of the state border runs along the Psou River. The main checkpoint has the same name, is in the village of Veselom. The border terminals operate around the clock on three bridges: railway, road and pedestrian. The Russian-Abkhaz border has a customs inspection and border control zone, the total length of which is about 150 meters. Abkhazia is an independent republic that concluded an agreement with the Russian Federation on mutual visa-free travel. To date, citizens of the Russian Federation (and also of the former CIS countries) have the right to cross the Russian-Abkhaz border without obtaining a visa. This rule is valid for visits for any purpose, provided that the stay in the territory of Abkhazia does not exceed 90 days.

How to get to a tourist in Abkhazia?

The Russian-Abkhazian border passes about 10 kilometers from the city of Adler in the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation. This is a major settlement, which can be reached from other regions of Russia by rail, air and road transport. From Adler to get to the village of Veseloy for crossing the border is not difficult. Public transport is available from the city's railway stations, if you want, you can take a taxi. The crossing of the Russian-Abkhaz border by holidaymakers is carried out on the pedestrian and road bridges. When entering Abkhazia from the territory of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to pass a Russian checkpoint, and then an Abkhaz checkpoint. Crossing the state border can also be done by rail. To do this, you need to purchase a ticket for the train or the train that follows the Adler-Sukhum route. At the border, the passenger train makes a stop, and the border service officers bypass the cars, registering all the passengers.

Required documents

The passage of the Russian-Abkhaz border by persons over the age of 18 is carried out on the basis of an internal passport of a Russian citizen or a foreign passport. No additional documents are required. Since 2006, when crossing the state border through the checkpoint "Psou" it is necessary to conclude a contract of compulsory life and health insurance. This procedure is carried out on the Abkhaz side and takes only a few minutes. Citizens of the Russian Federation planning to stay on the territory of Abkhazia for 1 day must pay an insurance premium of 15 rubles. Persons entering the territory of the republic for a period of more than 1 day, pay the insurance at the rate of 10 rubles / 1 day stay. The compulsory insurance contract protects the health, working capacity and life of foreign citizens while they are in Abkhazia. The maximum payment provided for by insured events is 30 thousand rubles. Keep the insurance policy until you return to Russia.

The rules for crossing the border by Russian citizens under the age of 14

Children under the age of 14 cross the state border upon the presentation of a birth certificate. Attention: the document must necessarily have a stamp on Russian citizenship (sometimes a special insert is attached instead).

Underage citizens of Russia (14-18 years old) can enter Abkhazia by an internal passport or passport. When crossing the border with one of the parents / legal representative, the consent of the second child for export is not required. To confirm family ties, you must have a birth certificate with you. Consent to export is not required and in the event of an actual absence of one of the parents, which is confirmed by: a death certificate, documents on the deprivation of parental rights, a mother book or an application for the renunciation of the child. For children under the age of 6 years, the compulsory insurance policy is not required. If necessary, you can get compensation according to the policy of one of the parents / legal representative.

Rules for crossing the border on a pedestrian bridge

The Russian-Abkhaz border is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Near the checkpoints there are information signs and signs. If you believe the reviews of experienced tourists, during the high season to enter Abkhazia without queues at the border is simply impossible. On the pedestrian bridge, those entering along with the baggage pass border and customs control. There are several windows on the Russian side, one of them is intended for citizens of Abkhazia returning home. Keep all necessary documents with you. After passing through the Russian checkpoint, it is necessary to cross the bridge to the Abkhazian border and customs control zone. When entering Abkhazia, a compulsory insurance policy is drawn up, documents are checked and luggage is inspected under a simplified scheme.

Crossing the border on private vehicles

Many tourists believe that the rules for the passage of the Russian-Abkhaz border are greatly simplified for those who enter the territory of Abkhazia by car. This is a big mistake. At the entrance to the checkpoints, the car must leave all passengers and go to the pedestrian bridge. To cross the border on a personal vehicle registered in Russia, some documents are required. The driver must have a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, a driver's license and a technical passport for the car. At the entrance fee is paid a one-time fee for temporary registration with the traffic police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia. The amount of payment depends on the vehicle category and the length of stay in the country. Cross the border can be on someone else's car, provided that the driver has a power of attorney authorizing the departure.

Does it make sense to order a transfer?

Sanatoriums and hotels of Abkhazia offer their guests a meeting in Adler and assistance in crossing the border. It is worth a similar service usually from 300 to 2000 rubles. With the pleasure of booking a transfer from the airport / from the station Adler, vacationers, first coming to Abkhazia. We will try to evaluate all the pros and cons of the service. Meeting in Adler will help you feel more confident with those who are afraid to get lost in an unfamiliar city. For comfort during the passage of the border and waiting time for their turn, the transport order in the hotel is in no way affected. All passengers of tourist buses and cars registered in Abkhazia pass checkpoints on the pedestrian bridge. Immediately after crossing the border, it is not difficult to find a taxi on the Abkhaz side or wait for public transport. And yet, the transfer can be useful if you carry a large baggage with you. Will benefit this service and those who booked rooms in hotels, which are difficult to reach by public transport or taxi.

Import of currency into the territory of Abkhazia

The official state currency in Abkhazia is the Russian ruble. Any citizen of the Russian Federation at the border crossing can import without customs clearance up to 3000 dollars and / or 50 000 rubles. Individuals are allowed to take out of Russia at a time up to $ 10,000 with a written declaration. Additional documents for crossing the Russian-Abkhaz border will also be needed when importing a large sum of money in the ruble equivalent. In this case, a written declaration is also submitted.

List of prohibited items and restrictions

We advise every traveler before a trip to study the full rules of crossing the Russian-Abkhaz border. Particular attention should be paid to the division of customs regulations on the import and export of various items for individuals. It is prohibited to transport weapons, narcotic substances and certain medicines to the territory of Abkhazia. Restrictions apply to many food products and household chemicals. In the luggage of an individual can only be things for personal use. Do not be lazy to study modern norms for one person, because otherwise all surplus will be confiscated.

Travel Tips

The peculiarities of crossing the Russian-Abkhaz border for Russian citizens make Abkhazia one of the most accessible countries for the rest of our compatriots. The only thing that tourists are afraid of is big lines. Indeed, the waiting area for those who enter Abkhazia is not perfectly equipped today. Under the canopies from the sun , not everyone who wants to get into the "country of the soul" can fit. When you are going to cross the border, try to anticipate all your needs in advance. It is useful to take a bottle of water and an umbrella to protect from the sun or wear a hat. Many travelers plan to cross the border at night. This is a good option, but in the midst of the tourist season, even at the most unpopular time you can get into the queue. At the entrance to the zone of border-customs control there is a toilet, a cafe and shops. Doing serious purchases here is not recommended because of high prices. But if necessary, you can have a snack and buy drinks.

Reviews on the passage of the border with Abkhazia

The system of border and customs control at the border of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia is being improved annually. Despite this fact, many vacationers negatively speak about the entrance to the territory of Abkhazia. The Russian-Abkhaz border has negative reviews mostly due to large queues. Of course, this is not an excuse to refuse to leave.

We recommend that you relax, as far as possible, before passing the border and customs control. And go to the border with thoughts about the upcoming vacation. Experienced travelers joke that the Russian / Abkhaz border can be considered passed after registration of departure from Russia. It is true that the registration of those who enter the territory of Abkhazia usually takes no more than 20 minutes. Do not be lazy to study in advance all the rules, and then crossing the border will seem to you an ordinary bureaucratic formality.