Purchase a Property in Russia
Learn the steps for purchasing a property in Russia, the types of real estate available and how our lawyers can represent you in the acquisition process.
If you want to purchase a property in Russia, you need to complete several steps. Our local lawyers have the necessary experience to guide you and can represent you in the acquisition process, especially if you are a foreigner.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Types of properties that can be purchased in Russia | Residential and commercial properties as long as are not owned by the Russian state |
The institution in charge of property registration in Russia | Rosreestr (Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography) |
Restrictions imposed | Foreigners cannot buy agricultural lands in Russia. |
| Documents for buying a property in Russia | – Title Deed, – cadastral documents, – property history, – sale-purchase contract |
| Requirements for foreigners buying a property in Russia | No residence permit is required; since March 2022, purchases by persons from 'unfriendly' states require permission of the Government Commission |
| Expert advice for price property in Russia (YES/NO) | YES |
| Verification of properties with local institutions or municipalities (YES/NO) | YES |
| Inspection trip before property purchase (YES/NO) | YES |
| Pre-sale agreement for properties in Russia | A preliminary agreement is required, alongside an advance payment |
| Minimum deposit solicited | A round figure determined by the parties involved – the buyer and the seller |
| Can a property price be negotiated in Russia? | A real estate agent in Russia can help you negotiate the price for the property you wish to buy. |
| Currency solicited for the payment of property in Russia | Ruble, but in some cases other currencies can be used. |
| Property tax in Russia | No more than 2.5% of cadastral value (0.1% for residential property) |
| Residency through property purchase in Russia | Yes, through a business investment visa and specific requirements |
| Why choose our lawyers in Russia for property purchase? | We offer: – legal advice before buying a property in Russia, – counseling on property issues, – assistance, and representation before signing the sale-purchase agreement. |
| Can foreigners buy properties near border zones in Russia? (YES/NO) | NO |
Buying properties in Russia's strategic areas | Not an available option |
Investment visa requirements for a residence permit in Russia | Buying a property worth at least RUB 50,000,000 |
| What is EGRN? | Unified State Register of Real Estate, kept by Rosreestr, which issues extracts confirming real-estate rights |
| VAT for buying a house in Russia | No VAT imposed on the purchase of residential property |
| Buying a property for rental purposes | Available option for foreign citizens interested in such type of investments in Russia |
| Purchasing a property in Russia through mortgage | Depending on the bank's conditions. No more than 80% of the property price is supported through a bank loan. |
| Recommendations for property loans in Russia | Persons interested should ask for legal advice and collaborate with a Russian lawyer. |
| Property purchase through a company in Russia | Establishing an LLC in Russia for management of property acquisition |
| What happens if the buyer changes his/her mind? | The deposit cannot be paid back. |
| When is the property transfer made? | Ownership passes upon state registration of the transfer with Rosreestr (after signing and payment). |
| Notary fees | Notarisation is mandatory only in certain cases (e.g. sale of a share in common ownership); the state duty is then 0.5% of the price, capped at RUB 20,000, plus technical fees |
| Other requirements after buying a property in Russia | The new owner must register with the Russian Land Registry. |
| Avoiding possible legal disputes when buying a house in Russia | You can collaborate with one of our Russian lawyers and eliminate from the start any possible missunderstanding related to language barrier, legal complexities linked to the property, etc. |
| Popular cities for buying real estate in Russia | – Moscow, – Sankt Petersburg, – Ekaterinburg, – Sochi, – Krasnodar, etc. |
Can I buy a property in Russia if I am a foreigner? Are there any restrictions?
Yes, you can buy a property in Russia; however, at the moment, there are certain restrictions imposed on citizens of certain countries. In this case, special permits may be required (our Russian lawyers can offer full assistance in such situations).
Another aspect to consider is that foreigners cannot own agricultural land (they may lease it) or land in border territories, and companies with more than 50% foreign capital cannot own agricultural land either.
Are there any other means through which I can purchase a property in a simple manner?
Yes, by opening a company in Russia with the help of our lawyers.
Can I buy a property in Russia through my foreign company?
Yes, foreign companies are also allowed to buy real estate for commercial use.
What are the steps to purchase a property in Russia?
- research the market and perform a minimum due diligence check (you can do that with the help of our Russian law firm);
- agree on the acquisition terms with the seller;
- have the sale-purchase agreement drafted before a Russian public notary;
- register the property with the Russian Cadastre after the purchase.
Is real estate due diligence mandatory in Russia?
The due diligence proceduresare recommended in the case of residential real estate properties; and strongly advisable (though not legally mandatory) in the case of commercial acquisitions.
This step is usually completed before buying the property, as it implies a thorough verification of it. Also, it is the future owner’s responsibility to ask for real estate due diligence procedures before purchasing a property. This can be completed by our law firm in Russia when it comes to the legal side of the transaction and by an architect or any other team of construction experts for the technical side of construction.
Must I make an advance payment when buying a property in Russia?
Yes, a 10% advance payment is common and is made to take the property off the market in 2026.
Can I buy remotely a property in Russia?
Yes, with representation from our lawyers based on a power of attorney. Our fee is 3% to 5% of the property price, depending on its value and location.
How long does it take to purchase a property in Russia?
The procedure can take up to 3 months or more, depending on the type of property and its location.
Here is a video presentation with details about buying a property in Russia as a foreigner:
What are the fees and taxes associated with buying a property in Russia?
The following fees and taxes must be considered when purchasing a property in Russia in 2026:
- the real estate agent’s/ lawyer’s fee, if such services have been used;
- the documents notarization fee;
- the property registration fee;
- the value added tax (only on commercial property bought from VAT-paying sellers; residential property is VAT-exempt).
Please contact our Russian law firm for purchasing a property in Russia.
Evgeny M. Kuznetsov, Attorney at Law · 2 October 2026