Russia Plans Mandatory Paid Digital Mailboxes for Official Communications by 2027
Russia's Digital Development Ministry has proposed creating a state-run platform for official electronic correspondence between citizens, businesses, and government agencies. For legal entities, individual entrepreneurs, and the self-employed, connecting to the system would become mandatory—and paid. This was reported by Vedomosti, citing a draft law on postal sector reform obtained by the newspaper.
Currently, the "Registered Electronic Mail" service operates on a voluntary basis. The draft law introduces two key concepts: an electronic postal system—a government platform for document exchange—and a digital mailbox, a special address within the system that would be created in users' personal accounts on the Gosuslugi (State Services) portal.
Under the proposal, users would pay a monthly fee to use the digital mailbox, including for sending and receiving messages. Failure to pay could result in suspended access, with the address flagged to tax authorities as invalid.
For the self-employed, setting up a digital mailbox would become a mandatory requirement for registration. Those already registered would have until March 1, 2027, to create one. Users will be able to set up mailboxes in the new system starting September 1, 2026.
Messages sent through the platform would carry the same legal weight as registered mail with delivery confirmation. A document would be considered delivered not only upon opening but also after seven days from its placement in the mailbox.
The Digital Development Ministry declined to comment. Russian Post stated it was not yet prepared to discuss the draft law at this stage.
Experts surveyed by Vedomosti acknowledge the need for a unified system to deliver legally binding communications but question the combination of mandatory participation and paid access. Businesses may view the requirement as an imposed service they cannot opt out of.
Read also:
- India's Agriculture Minister Reviews Sector Progress Amid Heavy Rains, Crop Areas Up
- Over 1.7M in Baden-Württemberg at Poverty Risk, Emmendingen's Housing Crisis Urgent
- Life Expectancy Soars, But Youth Suicide and Substance Abuse Pose Concern
- Cyprus, Kuwait Strengthen Strategic Partnership with Upcoming Ministerial Meeting
