Immigration, permanent residence, residence permit
One year after moving to Russia, an application for the so-called Residence Permit can be submitted. However, this should be done at least 6 months before the temporary residence permit expires. The Residence Permit is valid for five years and can be extended indefinitely. However, it cannot be issued beyond the expiry date of the passport.
According to cellphoneexplorer, the extension of the Russian permanent residence permit must take place at least two months before the expiry of the period of validity. Anyone who cannot meet the conditions of the Residence Permit and is therefore revoked must leave Russia within 15 days. In Russia, applications for permanent residence are submitted to the local authorities on site.
The required documents vary depending on the country of origin, but include at least the following points:
- 4 passport photos
- passport
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
- Proof of accommodation
- Negative HIV test
- Proof of Russian language skills, knowledge of Russian history and the basics of the Russian Federation
After arriving in Russia, you must inform the local immigration authorities of your new place of residence within seven working days. If you have an employment contract with a company in Russia, this usually takes care of the registration. Clarify this in good time, because violations of Russian immigration regulations can, in the worst case, be punished with deportation.
If you want to take your spouse and / or children with you when moving to Russia, you should inform your employer in Russia in good time so that he can include all accompanying family members in the work visa application!
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Work – job offer
German-language jobs for emigrants, which can also be carried out in Russia, are available on the Osourced portal. Native speakers in particular are in great demand. The employers come mainly from Germany and DACH. The wages are usually below the German level but above the local level in Russia. Emigrants with German language skills benefit from a locally above-average wage with low cost of living at the same time (geo-arbitrage). Tip: Emigrants can still apply for a job in Germany. With a job offer, emigrating is much easier (Link: Changes in labor and residence law).
There are many reasons for entering the Russian market as an entrepreneur or even for setting up your own production in Russia. Because the Russian market offers like no other enormous growth potential, financially strong consumers, a well-trained workforce and new opportunities.
Highly qualified engineers and project managers with international experience have a chance on the Russian job market. The salary is highly dependent on the region in which you work, as well as the area of work. A teacher in a rural area, for example, earns around 150 euros, while a well-trained engineer in Moscow earns around 3,000 euros.
Cost of living
The food prices correspond to the prices of upscale German supermarkets. Only tickets, cigarettes and petrol are cheaper. Life is much more expensive, especially if you want to maintain western comfort. There are also huge differences between rural areas and the larger cities.
You need around € 2,389.33 in Moscow to maintain the same standard of living that you could have in Berlin with € 3,700.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).
- Consumer prices in Moscow are 40.11% lower than in Berlin (excluding rent)
- Consumer prices in Moscow are 35.42% lower than in Berlin (including rent)
- Rental prices in Moscow are 25.28% lower than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Moscow are 30.61% lower than in Berlin
- Food prices in Moscow are 41.74% lower than in Berlin
- The local purchasing power in Moscow is 47.82% lower than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Moscow (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 8.08 | 4.62-13.85 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 34.64 | 23.09-69.27 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 2.31 | 1.15-3.46 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 2.71 | 1.72-4.50 |
| cappuccino | 1.99 | 0.92-3.46 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 0.70 | 0.52-1.15 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 0.49 | 0.35-1.15 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 0.82 | 0.63-1.04 |
| White bread (500g) | 0.54 | 0.35-0.92 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.07 | 0.69 – 1.62 |
| Eggs (12) | 1.18 | 0.83-1.36 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 7.35 | 4.50-15.01 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 3.49 | 2.31-4.62 |
| Beef (1kg) | 6.78 | 4.62-10.39 |
| Apples (1kg) | 1.31 | 0.81-1.73 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 0.84 | 0.63 – 1.21 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 1.27 | 0.81-2.31 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 2.32 | 1.15-3.58 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 0.49 | 0.23-0.75 |
| Onions (1kg) | 0.43 | 0.23-0.58 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 1.02 | 0.58-1.73 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 0.50 | 0.35-0.69 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 5.77 | 3.46 -11.55 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 0.76 | 0.58-1.15 |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 1.49 | 1.04-2.31 |
Average cost of local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education of Moscow (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 0.58 | 0.48-0.69 |
| Monthly pass | 25.40 | 22.74-34.64 |
| Taxi base amount | 1.73 | 1.15-2.31 |
| Taxi 1 km | 0.17 | 0.10-0.35 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 96.81 | 65.42-142.30 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.02 | 0.01-0.03 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 5.44 | 4.04-6.93 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 71.92 | 34.64-103.91 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 37.73 | 17.32-57.73 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 71.17 | 40.41-115.45 |
| Leather business shoes | 90.34 | 46.18-161.63 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 37.94 | 19.24-76.97 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 25.13 | 13.85-34.64 |
| a movie ticket | 5.20 | 4.04-6.93 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 471.43 | 288.63-634.99 |
| International primary school per year and child | 10,127.95 | 4,618.12 – 17,317.96 |
An apartment with western comfort costs at least 2,000 euros in Moscow. Good apartments in other cities are available from 1,000 euros. Small apartments, even with poor comfort, can rarely be found in Moscow for less than 500 euros.
However, safety and health are also more affordable here than in Germany. If possible, drivers should choose guarded parking spaces and the entrance to the house should be well secured.
Dealing with authorities can be made easier through relationships and / or small gifts.
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Moscow (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 767.57 | 577.27 – 1,154.53 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 427.18 | 346.36-577.27 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 1,579.61 | 1,154.53-2,886.33 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 762.36 | 577.27 – 1,154.53 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 5,005.17 | 3,463.59-8,081.72 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 2,450.63 | 1,962.70-3,232.69 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 874.24 | – |
Average rental prices St. Petersburg (as of 07/2020)
1-room apartment in the city center: 451 €
1-room apartment outside the city center: 287 €
3-room apartment in the city center: 875 €
3-room apartment outside the city center: 537 €
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Emigration and living in Russia – conclusion
Emigrating to Russia is only recommended after very good preparation and calculation. Some advantages of the country: lots of forest, low cost of living (LHK-I 59), low population density.