Moving to Yerevan
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Yerevan, Armenia. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$1,020
solo, city centre
Livability
70/100
strong
Safety
72/100
Fine. Just keep your wits about you
PR timeline
1 yr
citizenship: 3y
How to move to Yerevan
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
Visa difficulty by nationality
1 years
to permanent residency
3 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires Armenian language proficiency and a constitution knowledge test.
Work permit accessibility: moderate
What it costs to move to Yerevan
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Day-one setup cost
$680
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 82% of 97 cities
$1,200
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$1,020/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Easy1–7 days, simple process
- •Passport sufficient
- •1 month's deposit typical
- •No credit checks
- •Post-2022 Russian influx raised prices but supply adapted
First month in Yerevan
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Research visa options for Armenia
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring a Armenian-speaking friend or prepare for mime-based banking
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$8/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 1–7 days, simple process. Housing friction: Easy.
- ☐
Have $2,450 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
Private insurance ~$45/mo until residency kicks in
- ☐
Start learning basic Armenian
Not optional. Download Duolingo before the plane lands
Language in Yerevan
Can you order coffee without pointing?
Armenian
primary language
Moderate
English proficiency
English proficiency is moderate. Learning at least basic Armenian isn't optional — it's survival.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
5.3/10
democracy index (EIU)
⚠️ Hybrid regime
regime type
#58 of 163
Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful)
Travel advisory: Level 2 — Exercise increased caution
FCDO advises against travel to some regions.
Is Yerevan safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
🤷
Fine. Just keep your wits about you
2.2
homicides per 100k
Crime index: 22/100
Low crime. You'll probably worry more about sunburn.
Weather in Yerevan
What the thermometer actually says
34°C
summer highs
-6°C
winter lows
65 Mbps
average download speed
If you get sick
Healthcare access for new arrivals
System: Basic public system free for citizens; foreigners need private insurance
Before residency: Public system provides basic free care to residents, but quality is limited. Pre-residency: emergency care available. Private insurance recommended (~$40/mo) — private clinics are the standard for anything beyond basics. (private insurance ~$45/mo)
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ $680/mo in Yerevan. Money actually lasts all month.
- ✓ 34°C summers in Yerevan. Retire the winter coat.
- ✓ Ski weekends from Yerevan. Mountains that earn their keep.
Think twice about
- ✗ Yerevan: 2.2 homicides/100k — elevated, not alarming.
- ✗ Armenia: 5.3/10 democracy index. Research Yerevan carefully.
- ✗ Yerevan drops to -6°C in winter. Wardrobe upgrade needed.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Yerevan profile →