Letim, a payment service widely used by Russian tourists in Türkiye, will stop operating in the country on 30 November 2026, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) has announced, according to a report by Turizm Güncel on 21 October.
ATOR said the information came from the company itself. No reason for the closure was given.
What users need to do
Users have been advised to spend or move their remaining balances before the end of November. Money left in Letim accounts can be transferred to bank accounts in Russia, while transactions after the deadline will reportedly be handled through the company’s customer support.
The Russian Union of Travel Industry (RST) warned that during the closure process, withdrawing cash in Türkiye and sending money to Turkish bank accounts through the service will no longer be possible. Remaining balances can only be used for online or in-store purchases, or sent back to a Russian bank.
Why it matters
Since 2022, Russian-issued Visa and Mastercard cards have not worked abroad because of Western sanctions, and Turkish banks later stopped accepting Russia’s domestic Mir cards. As a result, Russian visitors and many Russians living in Türkiye have relied on cash or on intermediary services such as Letim to pay for hotels, shopping and everyday expenses.
Russia is the largest source of foreign visitors to Türkiye, and Russian buyers and tenants are a significant presence in coastal cities such as Antalya and Alanya. Russian visitors again led arrivals in Antalya this year, as shown in our report on the province’s foreign visitor figures for the first nine months.
ATOR said it does not expect the closure to affect tourist flows to Türkiye. It noted that other cashless options exist, such as Russia’s Fast Payment System (SBP), and that many Russian travellers pay in cash. In the association’s words, there are other ways to pay for goods and services in Türkiye without cash.
Practical tips for residents
Foreign residents who depend on cross-border payment apps should check that they have an alternative in place before the deadline. Options generally include opening an account with a Turkish bank, which usually requires a tax number and, in many cases, a residence permit, or using money transfer services that remain available.
November also brings other changes for visitors: from 1 November, tourists will need a passport-based e-Devlet token to use some social media services. Newcomers can find more on everyday costs in our cost of living in Türkiye guide and on banking and paperwork in our checklist for moving to Türkiye.
Sources
Photo: Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
