Moving to Moscow
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Moscow, Russia. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$2,220
solo, city centre
Livability
42/100
rough
Safety
5/100
Know your neighborhoods
PR timeline
—
varies
How to move to Moscow
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
Russia HQS Work Permit (ВКС)
Some paperworkDuration: Up to 3 years (renewable)
Employer sponsorship + salary ≥ 250,000 RUB/mo (~$33K/yr). No quota, no language exam. 13% flat PIT rate.
What it costs to move to Moscow
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Day-one setup cost
$1,499
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 36% of 124 cities
$3,153
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$2,220/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
First month in Moscow
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Apply for Russia HQS Work Permit (ВКС)
Up to 3 years (renewable). Employer sponsorship + salary ≥ 250,000 RUB/mo (~$33K/yr). No quota, no language exam. 13% flat PIT rate.
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring a Russian-speaking friend or prepare for mime-based banking
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$9/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Budget $1,499/mo for a 1-bed in the centre
- ☐
Have $5,522 ready for move-in costs
First month + 1mo deposit + furniture
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Sort this before you need it, not after
- ☐
Start learning basic Russian
Not optional. Download Duolingo before the plane lands
Language in Moscow
Can you order coffee without pointing?
Russian
primary language
Moderate
English proficiency
English proficiency is moderate. Learning at least basic Russian isn't optional — it's survival.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
2.2/10
democracy index (EIU)
🚩 Authoritarian regime
regime type
Travel advisory: Level 4 — Do not travel
FCDO advises against all travel.
Is Moscow safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
⚠️
Know your neighborhoods
7.8
homicides per 100k
Weather in Moscow
What the thermometer actually says
22°C
summer highs
-9°C
winter lows
If you get sick
Healthcare access for new arrivals
System:
Before residency:
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ Economic momentum in Moscow: Russia grew 4.3% recently.
Think twice about
- ✗ City rent in Moscow: $1499/mo. Plan for it.
- ✗ Moscow: 7.8 homicides per 100k. Know the areas.
- ✗ Governance in Russia: 2.2/10. Think hard about Moscow.
More on Moscow
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Moscow profile →