If you are going to be living and working in Russia, you may need to access healthcare services while you’re there. The quality of the provision you receive will depend on whether you choose to access the public or the private healthcare sector. We will look at both sectors below and consider some of your … Read more

If you are intending to give birth in Russia, you will need to make a decision early on regarding whether to use the public or the private sector. The standard of the public healthcare system in Russia is not as high as what you may be used to in Europe. Many expats therefore opt for … Read more

If you are applying for a Russian visa, you will need to demonstrate that you have some form of health insurance, before you enter the country. Once on the ground, you will be eligible to access public healthcare, as long as you are making contributions into the Russian social security system.However, as we shall see … Read more

Russia is not always considered to offer the healthiest lifestyle on the planet, but if you are going to be living and working there, then you will find plenty of opportunities to keep fit and well.Russia is an enormous country. You will find a diverse range of landscapes there, and there are opportunities for sailing, … Read more

How much you will pay for healthcare in Russia will depend on whether you access the public sector or the private sector. In general, state healthcare in the country is not of a high standard – it is not as high quality as you may be accustomed to in the West. The system is underfunded … Read more

Overall, oncological care in the public sector in the USA is substantially better than in the public healthcare system in Russia. Russian healthcare suffers from a number of challenges: poor infrastructure, overcrowding, corruption and underfunding. In saying this, the quality of the actual medical provision is often good, and Russian oncological research is forging ahead. … Read more

If you are living and working in Russia, and you need to access dental and ophthalmological care, then what are the best options for you? Russian public healthcare, unfortunately, has a poor reputation. Provision is often very limited outside the big cities, such as Moscow and St Petersburg, and the scheme is underfunded and often … Read more

There are a number of complementary therapies available in Russia, from Eastern healing therapies to traditional Russian forms of relaxation. If you are living and working in the country, then you may want to learn more about your options.The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widespread in Russia and can be found in … Read more

Over recent years, the Russian banking system has had to navigate a tumultuous financial landscape, from the significant fall of the Russian Ruble and political instability to various international sanctions. The Russian banking system comprises two main parts: commercial banks and the central bank (Sberbank Rossii, Russian Savings Bank). Most commercial banks offer current and … Read more

Russia is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and stretching down to Northern Asia. Its vast landmass covers an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres (6,612,100 sq mi), making it the largest country in the world. In fact, the expanse of Russia accounts for one-eighth of the Earth’s inhabited land area. It encompasses eleven different … Read more

Russia is a vast and fascinating country, and a popular destination for both tourism and employment. However, its bureaucracy can be challenging, and obtaining a visa is not always straightforward. Read on to learn about the processes involved.Will I need a visa? If you are from Britain, the USA, the EU, or a number of … Read more

Russia is a vast and fascinating country to live and work in, with a wide range of opportunities for expats seeking employment, from teaching English to the oil and gas industry to engineering or finance. The political situation is not always positive, but on the whole, Westerners will find themselves welcomed by ordinary Russians. Moscow … Read more

Obtaining the correct visa for a trip to Russia can be confusing, as there are many options to choose from. Our guide to the process will answer all your questions. Who Needs A Visa People from countries that have bilateral and multilateral agreements with Russia such as Ukraine and Belarus do not require a visa. … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Russia and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.Moscow Expat ParentsFacebook Page An essential source … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Russia and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.Coffee + Clevelandhttp://www.coffeeandcleveland.com/ Sharing her beautiful imagery, this American-turned-Muscovite is exploring her … Read more

Expats moving to Moscow with their families in tow find themselves dealing with number of rather frustrating problems along with many wonderful opportunities. The harsh, long winters can be quite daunting, and transport infrastructure is seriously strained (although it does have its own attractions, such as the gorgeous murals, chandeliers, and architecture in the Moscow … Read more

The entrance to the metro is generally just an underpass with a large “M” sign above it. The Moscow metro is quite extensive and the tickets are very cheap and can be purchased at the metro stations. Look for a ticket booth with the word ‘Kacca’ on it – you can buy multiple tickets (maximum … Read more

It’s common for expats to perceive Russia as an unsafe place to live on account of its largely negative reputation in the Western media. In reality, the crime rate is quite low for such a large country and crimes against foreigners are not very common. The apartments and housing complexes are also known to have … Read more

Moscow is often called a city of great contrast. It has seen rapid development and has grown into a major hub for business and tourism. It also holds on to a rich past that is evident in its many ancient monasteries that stand alongside its skyscrapers. It is considered to be one of the world’s … Read more

As the title and central action of the 1980 romance film Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears attest, the Russian capital has an aura of grim determinedness to it that seems to transcend historical eras. It is decidedly not for everyone: for those whose ideal urban experience is something like the bustling neon playgrounds of … Read more