Sovcombank 180-day 0% credit card

Card issuance is completely free—you do not need to pay any one-time fee to get the card. Annual maintenance is equally free.

Additionally, you have the option to enable alerts for deposits and withdrawals. The SMS notification service is also free.

Sovcombank offers a relatively low limit for the "180 days without interest" card: from 45,000 to 300,000 RUB. The bank determines the available amount for each client individually, taking into account details such as the borrower's age, credit history, debt load, salary size, presence of dependents, and so on.

Despite the maximum limit being small, getting it right away is almost impossible, especially if you are not a payroll client of Sovcombank and do not have a large deposit opened with them. If you are applying to the bank for the first time, you will likely get a small limit of 45,000–100,000 RUB. However, in the future, you will be able to increase the available amount if you actively use the credit card and make minimum mandatory payments on time.

The maximum grace period on the card is 180 days. Its duration depends on the exact day of the interest-free period on which you make a purchase.

The grace period applies only to non-cash payments for goods and services. Sovcombank charges an interest rate on cash withdrawals and transfers of credit funds.

If you do not have enough funds to fully repay your credit card debt, you can make only the minimum mandatory payment. Its amount is 8% of the debt amount. This will help you avoid overdue debt and the accrual of penalties.

Also, making minimum mandatory payments is required to maintain the interest-free period.

As mentioned above, the interest-free period applies only to non-cash payments for goods and services, provided you manage to repay the credit card debt before the grace period ends. In all other cases, Sovcombank charges interest.

The interest rate for the "180 days without interest" card is 39.9% per annum.

To avoid overdue payments, you need to make at least the minimum mandatory payments. At Sovcombank, their amount is 8% of the principal debt. If these payments are overdue, the bank charges a penalty of 20% per annum on the overdue card debt amount.

Also, in the event of a default, the bank transfers this information to the Credit History Bureau. Do not forget that even the most minor debt can worsen your credit history and become the reason for loan and credit card rejections in the future.

The advantage of this card is that you can withdraw credit funds for free within the established limit. You can do this at Sovcombank ATMs and cash withdrawal points, as well as at ATMs and cash withdrawal points of other financial institutions.

However, transfers of borrowed funds are subject to a fee. A commission of 5.9% plus 590 RUB applies to them.

The disadvantage of the card is that it does not provide cashback on purchases.

Getting a credit card is very simple. The bank does not impose any strict requirements on borrowers. Currently, they are as follows:

• Russian citizenship;
• permanent registration for at least 4 months within the territory of the Russian Federation;
• place of residence in regions where there is a bank branch;
• age from 20 to 75 years;
• employment record at the last job of at least 4 months.

To issue the card, only a Russian internal passport is required, but if necessary, the bank may request a second identity document (e.g., SNILS, INN, international passport, driver's license, military ID, etc.).

Certificates confirming income and place of employment may also be required.

Pros:

• no issuance and maintenance fees;
• credit limit up to 300,000 RUB;
• grace period up to 180 days;
• no cash withdrawal fee;
• card issuance with a single document.

Cons:

• high interest rate outside the interest-free period: 39.9% per annum;
• high commission for transfers of borrowed funds;
• no cashback on purchases;
• the bank may request documents verifying your income and employment.