In a development that could affect millions of Mir card holders, Sberbank announced a substantial change to the validity period of its cards. The bank confirmed that the lifespan of Mir national payment system cards will be extended to ten years. This policy shift is set to take effect gradually, with debit cards adopting the new ten-year term first in September, followed by credit cards entering into the ten-year regime on October 3. Sberbank representatives emphasized that these cards are built to withstand everyday use for a full decade, ensuring reliable performance with minimal need for renewal during that period.
The move comes after a broader industry trend seen last year when many large Russian banks stopped relying on international payment networks Visa and MasterCard. Following the separation of these networks from Russia, several banks opted to increase the usable life of their cards, sometimes extending expiration dates to 2028 or 2030. This shift reflected both strategic considerations and the evolving landscape of domestic payment infrastructure, with banks seeking to balance security, convenience, and long-term cost efficiency for customers.
Historically, card validity for domestic banks tended to be shorter, often around three years. Over time, institutions began experimenting with longer terms, and the maximum maturity observed in the market gradually rose. While some international networks previously allowed much longer periods, many banks chose conservative expansions or did not utilize the longer options available. The current step by Sberbank, aligning with a broader rethinking of card lifecycles, signals a new normal in which a decade of service without a renewal is feasible for Mir cards, subject to ongoing compliance with security standards and system integrity.
The practical implications of this change include fewer card renewals for customers, potential reductions in issuing and renewal costs for banks, and the need for ongoing monitoring of card security features as technology evolves. The industry is watching closely how this policy interacts with fraud prevention measures, cardholder education, and the reliability of contactless and online payment channels, all of which play a critical role in sustaining trust while the payment ecosystem adjusts to longer card lifecycles.
From a consumer standpoint, the extension to ten years does not imply a blanket relaxation of security requirements. Cardholders can still be required to replace cards earlier if the physical card is damaged or if chip failure occurs. Banks typically refresh the card if there are updates in payment technology, data encryption, or issuer policy, ensuring that users benefit from up-to-date protection without unnecessary interruptions. Overall, the shift underscores the ongoing modernization of Russia’s domestic payment framework and its commitment to maintaining robust, uninterrupted access to funds and services through the Mir system.