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Russia – Finding Property to Buy

Popular Estate Agencies

  • ERA Russia: One of the most well-known international real estate agencies in Russia, ERA Russia operates in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other major Russian cities. They offer a wide range of services for buyers and sellers, including property search, valuations, and legal support.
  • Sotheby’s International Realty: Sotheby’s International Realty is a luxury real estate agency with a presence in Russia. They specialize in high-end properties and offer a range of services for buyers and sellers, including property search, valuations, and legal support.
  • Knight Frank: Knight Frank is a global real estate consultancy with a presence in Russia. They offer a range of services for buyers and sellers, including property search, valuations, and legal support.

Qualifications and Licenses

  • In Russia, estate agents must be licensed by the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre, and Cartography.
  • To obtain a license, estate agents must pass a certification exam, have a higher education degree in a relevant field, and have no criminal record.
  • Estate agents must also be registered with the Russian Union of Realtors, which sets standards for the profession and offers professional development opportunities.

Breakdown of Estate Agent Fees

  • In Russia, estate agents typically charge a commission based on a percentage of the sale price of the property. This commission is usually split between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent.
  • The commission rate can vary between 3% and 7%.
  • In addition to the commission, estate agents may also charge additional fees, such as marketing fees and administration fees.

Other resources

  • Property websites: Cian.ru, Avito.ru, and Realestate.ru are the most popular property websites in Russia, where you can find a wide range of properties for sale.
  • Expat websites: InterNations and Internations are popular expat websites which are available for foreigners to look for properties in Russia.
  • Word of mouth: Asking locals and people who have recently bought properties in Russia is another way to find properties for sale

Use of Buyer’s Agent

  • In Russia, the Use of a Buyer’s Agent is not common, as most buyers prefer to deal directly with the seller’s agent.
  • If a buyer chooses to use a buyer’s agent, they will usually pay the agent’s commission out of their own pocket.
  • Qualification/license is not required for a buyer’s agent in Russia

Organisations for Foreign Property Buyers


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  • The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia: Provides information and support to American businesses operating in Russia and offers advice to American citizens considering buying property in Russia. Contact details: www.amcham.ru, info@amcham.ru
  • The British Chamber of Commerce in Russia: Offers advice and support to British businesses operating in Russia and provides information to British citizens considering buying property in Russia. Contact details: https://www.britcham.ru/
  • The European Business Association in Russia: Offers advice and support to European businesses operating in Russia and provides information to European citizens considering buying property in Russia. Contact details: https://www.eba.ru/


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