Russia Archives - Expat Focus

Navigating Russia’s Vast Rail Network: Tips for the Trans-Siberian Journey

The allure of the Trans-Siberian Railway, stretching from Moscow in the west to Vladivostok in the east, has captivated travelers for over a century. For expats living in Russia, it offers an unrivaled journey across the vast and varied landscapes

Russia – Eye Care

Eye care services in Russia are organised around two parallel tracks: state-funded ophthalmic care delivered through the Obligatory Medical Insurance (OMI/OMS) programme, and an expanding private sector comprising specialist clinics and optical retail chains. Those enrolled in the OMS scheme

Russia – End of Life Issues

Russia’s approach to end of life care is in the midst of meaningful change, yet the availability of palliative and hospice services continues to vary greatly across such an expansive nation. Expats are strongly encouraged to put essential legal paperwork

Russia – Air Travel

Air travel in Russia is a deeply embedded and indispensable feature of everyday life, particularly in light of the country’s extraordinary geographic scale across 11 time zones. Russia’s domestic aviation network is extensive, with the Aeroflot Group holding a commanding

Russia – Landlines and Mobile Phones

Russia maintains a sophisticated telecommunications infrastructure under the supervision of Roskomnadzor, the country’s national telecoms regulator. The country code is +7, and four nationwide carriers — MTS, MegaFon, Beeline, and Tele2 — dominate the mobile landscape. Purchasing a SIM card

Russia – Visas

Relocating to Russia means navigating a detailed immigration framework. The majority of nationalities require a visa to enter the country, although more than 60 nations enjoy visa-free access for brief visits. No visa-on-arrival facility exists. For those seeking longer-term residence,

Russia – Selling Property

Selling real estate in Russia is a legally defined yet manageable process, governed primarily by the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. The essential stages include assembling documentation, executing a preliminary contract, registering the transaction with Rosreestr (the state real

Russia – Buying Property

Foreign nationals are legally permitted to purchase most categories of residential real estate in Russia — encompassing apartments, houses, and dachas — without holding citizenship or a residency permit. That said, meaningful restrictions exist concerning agricultural land, border zones, seaport

Russia – Work Permits and Working Legally

The vast majority of foreign nationals require both a work permit and a work visa in order to be employed legally in Russia. Crucially, it is the employer — not the employee — who bears primary responsibility for securing the

Russia – Veterinary Care

Russia’s veterinary sector has expanded considerably in recent years, with multi-specialist facilities now well established across major urban centres such as Moscow and St Petersburg. The quality of care available in large cities is broadly on par with standards seen