Doing Business in Russia
Doing Business in Russia
Living and working in Russia:
Useful tips
Learn Russian
This will not only help you in everyday
communication (many street vendors,
waiters and shop assistants do not speak
English) but also when doing business. Even if
you hold meetings in English or use an interpreter,
it can still be useful to know how things are being
translated and understand what has been missed out.
Develop personal relationships
Relationships are quite important in
Russian business. You may not always
be rewarded in cash (there
are laws against bribery
in Russia), but it always
pays to be a sociable,
reliable individual.
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Good food
There are many quality
restaurants in Moscow
and St. Petersburg (and
elsewhere).
Beware of traffic
Expats who hire
a local driver for
themselves and
Personal safety is not a problem
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Moscow is as safe as, or safer than
(in terms of street violence), many
other major Western cities. Though
like in other major Western cities, it is
still unadvisable for people to walk around the
suburbs late at night, and advisable to avoid large
crowds of football supporters.
their children should
choose carefully, selecting
individuals who are competent
and patient. Expats who drive
themselves, or who walk, should
exercise extreme caution as many
drivers - sometimes apparently
randomly and at all times of
the day - perform illegal and
unexpected manoeuvres.
There can be some ethnic intolerance
Qualified medical services
are available
While there are many qualified
doctors in Russia, expats
often prefer doctors who
speak English or their native
language. There are several
western medical clinics in
Moscow and St. Petersburg
that have many foreign,
foreign-trained
and/or foreign
language-speaking
doctors.
It should be noted that incidents of racism continue to be reported in Russia. People who
physically do not look like native Russians should take special care (avoid being alone) in certain
situations, including while using public transport.
If you are coming to stay:
An exemption from customs duties is available
for bringing household goods into Russia within
certain limits stated in the agreements of the
Customs Union.
Qualified (and English-speaking) household staff
can be found easily through other expats.
There are English, German, French, Japanese
and other foreign language schools catering to
expat children in Moscow and St. Petersburg (as
well as in some other cities), although the choice
of school and curricula is likely to be less diverse
than in your home country.
Routine issues:
As an expat (except those with 'highly qualified' visa
status), you must register and deregister each time you
travel abroad or away from your place of residence in
Russia.
Some bills require that you must physically go to a certain
bank and pay cash. Fortunately, cash machines are readily
available.
Registering your car can take 1-2 days of your, or perhaps
your driver's, time. However, your driver can only register
your car on your behalf if you have spent time and money
on granting the driver power of attorney over your car. The
power of attorney must be updated 2-3 times annually.
While the above does not cover all aspects of living in Russia, it is enough to infer that expats can and do live
safely, successfully and happily in Russia, and often for long periods of time.
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