What is important to know about moving to Armenia from Russia

Armenia is a country on the border of Europe and Asia. There are four usual seasons here, there is practically no language barrier, and prices for real estate, products and services are relatively low. We tell you what to look for if you are considering moving to Armenia. But keep in mind: this is a small country, where more and more foreigners come, so you should not delay the decision.

The documents

If you travel to Armenia by plane, adults and children over 14 years old international passport not needed - internal Russian is enough. Children under 14 will need to apply for a passport.

But the covid restrictions are still in place. Either a vaccination certificate, including Sputnik, will do (it needsnecessaryCOVID-19 Travel Restrictions / Government of the Republic of Armenia install the application “I travel without COVID-19”), or a PCR test made no later than 72 hours before arrival in the country.

Please note that the second dose of the vaccine must be administered at least 14 days before crossing the border, and if the drug is a single component, 28 days before. Without vaccinations and a PCR test, only children under 7 years old can enter.

A visa is not required if you are in the country for up to 180 days. After that, you need to either leave or apply for a residence permit (residence permit) - short-term for 1 year or long-term, from 5 years. It is issued if you open a business, buy real estate, invest in the local economy, get a work permit - or, for example, start studying at an Armenian university.

After 3 years of permanent residence in Armenia, it is possible to issue documents on permanent residence.

Road

The easiest and fastest way to get from Russia to Armenia is by plane. For a ticket for a direct flight from Moscow to Yerevan without luggage for the next few days, you will have to pay 32,704 rubles, with a transplant - a little less.

If you plan a flight in advance, it will cost less - in 23-24 thousand rubles. But tickets run out very quickly, so their prices are predictably going up.

There is no direct rail link between Russia and Armenia. The length of the route by car through Georgia - about 2 thousand kilometers. But to cross the Georgian border, you need good reasons, and it is inconvenient to go around the territory of the country, so this option is not recommended.

Language

The state language is Armenian, and, by the way, it is one of the oldest written languages. More than half of the population speaks Russian, so there are no special problems in communication.

The Russian-speaking community is growing every year. English is spoken mainly by young people and employees of the tourism industry in Yerevan and other large cities. In cafes and restaurants, menus are also often brought in Armenian, Russian and English.

Money

The national currency of Armenia is drams. 1,000 Armenian drams is approximately 2 US dollars at the current exchange rate.

From Russian maps in Armenia only "World" works. You can withdraw cash from an ATM and pay for purchases at the terminal using the devices of the ArCa (Armenian Card) national system, which includes the Central Bank and all the largest banks in the country.

Some banks issue local plastic cards to non-residents - as a rule, multi-currency ones: dram, dollar, euro, ruble. Card service costs from $0.1 per month, but usually you need to keep a balance of 10 thousand drams ($20) on the card.

Housing

The traditional scheme is to book an apartment or an apartment for a few days, a maximum of a couple of weeks, and during this time to find housing for a long time - it will cost less.

Temporary options can be found at Booking.com And Airbnb. A 1-room apartment or a hotel room in the center of Yerevan will cost 5-6 thousand rubles per day. For the same money you can rent a townhouse on the outskirts of the Armenian capital or in Gyumri, the second largest city in the country.

It is convenient to search for housing for a long time on List.am. This is the local "Avito", available in Russian, Armenian and English: it includes ads for real estate, cars and other goods. Also have estate.am - here only offers of houses, apartments and apartments.

A nice 2-room apartment in a new building can be rented for $700-800 per month. In the old fund, it’s really possible to find options half the price, but the condition of the housing will be, let’s say, authentic.

According to the opinions of those who came to Armenia, even such options are now quickly leaving. In addition, it will not be easy to rent a house if you have Pets.

In addition to rent, utilities will need to be paid. In summer, it costs an average of $40-50 for a two-room apartment, in winter, due to heating, the amount can increase to $150-200 or more.

Food

Food prices in Armenian supermarkets are usually lower than in Moscow. They are something like this:

• Milk - 460 drams (0.9 dollars) per 1 liter.
• Macaroni - AMD 450 ($0.85) per 0.5 kg pack.
• Eggs - 650 drams (1.27 dollars) for a dozen.
• Hard cheese - 2,200 drams (4.3 dollars) per 1 kg.
• Sausage - 2,100 drams (4.1 dollars) per 1 kg.
• Mid-range wine - AMD 3,000 ($5.8) per bottle.
• Cappuccino - AMD 1,000 ($2) for a large glass.

Prices for fruits and vegetables in the markets are also humane:

• Melons - from 100 drams (0.19 dollars) per 1 kg.
• Grapes - from 300 drams (0.58 dollars) per 1 kg.
• Peaches - from 350 drams (0.66 dollars) per 1 kg.
• Tomatoes - from 200 drams (0.38 dollars) per 1 kg.

If you want to eat in a restaurant or cafe, choose establishments for locals - they are cheaper, tastier and more soulful. Lunch in an inexpensive cafe will cost 2,500 drams (4.9 dollars), a glass of beer - 800 drams (1.56 dollars), a glass of wine - 1,000 drams (2 dollars).

Fast food is also popular. A large juicy shawarma costs about 1,100 drams ($2.2) - you can safely take it for two and eat it while it's hot. And then order more - if, of course, you master it. You will have to pay 3,500–4,000 drams (5.8–6.6 dollars) for a barbecue skewer, but the portions are impressive. Ikibir is also popular: fried pieces of meat on a skewer wrapped in pita bread with salad, sauce and herbs will cost 1,300 drams (2.5 dollars).

Connection

There are three mobile operators in the country: Viva Cell MTS, beeline And UCOM. SIM cards are sold at the airport, but it is more profitable to buy them at mobile phone offices in cities. Passport is not required.

A package with unlimited internet for instant messengers and 3–10 GB for other services will cost about 2,000 drams ($4) per month. With unlimited internet for everything - 5,000 drams (10 dollars).

Work

The population of Armenia is about 3 million people, four times less than in Moscow. There are, frankly, few jobs in the country, so finding a job after relocation will not be easy.

But you can try, here are sites with vacancies:

• Staff;
• headhunter;
• Flagma;
• employment (State Employment Agency).

Doctors, teachers, engineers, bank employees and IT specialists have the highest chances of finding a job.

We also recommend that you check the reviews about the employer.

In addition, you can register as an individual entrepreneur. For this will be requiredRegistration of legal entities / IE / Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia passport and a copy of the receipt for payment of the state duty of 3,000 drams ($6). A residence permit is not needed.

Health

If you plan to stay in Armenia for a long time, it is better to take out medical insurance. Branches of Russian and foreign companies operate in the country, for example, Ingo Armenia, Reso, Rosgosstrakh Armenia, Garant Insurance.

A comfort package that covers surgical procedures, complex cardiovascular diseases and emergency conditions will cost about 25,000 drams ($50) per year. The advanced one costs from 30,000 drams ($60) per year.

Services

Taxi “Yandex. go. A trip around the city costs an average of 1,000 drams ($2). If you don't want to wait, you can catch a car on the side of the road - it will be faster, but a little more expensive.

The easiest way to order food is through Menu.am. You will have to pay 500–1,300 drams (1–2.5 dollars) for delivery.

The easiest way to search for cosmetologists, manicurists, hairdressers and specialists providing other services is in Russian-speaking communities and social networks. And on rate.am - watch exchange rates at exchange offices.