Russians are 43% more likely to pay off debts that prevent them from leaving the country

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The number of bans on traveling abroad for Russians has increased 1.4 times, RBC found out. As of January 1, 2024, the FSB border service had 6.5 million bailiff orders banning debtors from traveling abroad.

It is noted that several enforcement proceedings may be opened for one citizen, for each of which a travel ban may be established. The FSPP does not keep separate records of debtors.

In total, in January-December 2023, bailiffs issued 16.4 million orders restricting travel. Until October 2023, the decision was made for a period of six months with the possibility of extension. Now the resolutions are unlimited and are valid until the debt is repaid. It is noted that in 2023, Russians became 89.6% better at paying off debts for which the right to cross the border is limited.

The FSPP began to more often restrict debtors from traveling abroad: if in 2022 this measure was applied to every fifth enforcement proceeding, then in 2023 - to every fourth, lawyers note. The amount of penalties in such cases reached 92.7 billion rubles, an increase of 43% compared to 2022.

A travel ban can be applied to debts on credits, loans, fines, utility bills, taxes, alimony, as well as to citizens who are in the process of bankruptcy. The amount of such claims must be at least 10,000 rubles for alimony and obligations to compensate for damage caused by a crime, or at least 30,000 rubles for other obligations, such as credit. The bailiff makes a decision at his own discretion, lawyers explain. The ban is lifted automatically as soon as the bailiffs receive information about the repayment of the debt.