Buying Real Estate in Moscow as a Foreigner
Yes, a foreign citizen can buy an apartment, a house or commercial premises in Moscow and register ownership in his own name. Russian civil law gives foreigners the same property rights as citizens, with a few exceptions for land. The practical difficulties lie elsewhere: checking the seller's title, paying the price lawfully under currency rules, and getting the transfer registered by Rosreestr.
Can a Foreigner Hold Title in Russia
A foreign individual needs a valid passport with a notarised Russian translation and a Russian taxpayer number is advisable. A residence permit is not required to own property. A foreign company may buy real estate directly or through a Russian subsidiary. Ownership does not grant a right to reside, so the buyer's visa status is a separate question.
Where the Law Draws Limits
- Land in border territories and in some other designated areas cannot be owned by foreigners.
- Agricultural land may only be leased, not owned.
- Since 2022, deals where the buyer or seller is linked to certain foreign states may require a special permit from a government commission or payment through special accounts.
Before signing anything, the lawyer checks whether any of these rules apply to your case. A deal concluded in breach of them can be challenged.
Title Checks Before You Pay
| What is checked | Source | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Registered owner, encumbrances, arrests | Extract from the Unified State Register (EGRN) | Confirms who can sell and whether the flat is pledged |
| History of transfers | Title documents, earlier contracts | Reveals recent resales and inheritance disputes |
| Registered residents | Housing records | Persons with a lifelong right of use may stay after sale |
| Seller's bankruptcy and court cases | Fedresurs, court databases | A sale before bankruptcy can be set aside |
| Spousal consent | Marriage records, notarised consent | Protects against a claim from the seller's spouse |
For new buildings the review covers the developer, the escrow account and the contract under 214-FZ.
From Offer to Keys
- Agree the price and sign a preliminary agreement with a deposit.
- Complete the due diligence and collect the seller's documents.
- Sign the main sale contract, notarised where the law requires it (for example, shares in a flat).
- Settle through a bank safe deposit box, a letter of credit or a notary deposit, released only after registration.
- Sign the handover act and take the keys.
Registering the Transfer with Rosreestr
Ownership passes only when Rosreestr records it in the register, not when the contract is signed. Documents can be filed at a multifunctional centre, through a notary or online with a qualified electronic signature. Registration usually takes several working days. Rosreestr may suspend it if the translation of the foreign passport differs from other documents, so names must be spelled the same everywhere.
Tax Consequences for a Foreign Owner
The owner pays annual property tax based on the cadastral value. On a later sale, a tax non-resident pays personal income tax on the whole gain at a higher rate than residents and does not benefit from the minimum holding period exemption that residents enjoy. Keep all payment documents: expenses reduce the taxable gain.
Buying Property with Attorney E. V. Petrova
Attorney E. V. Petrova reviews the property and the seller, drafts or checks the contract, advises on the settlement scheme and currency rules, and accompanies the filing with Rosreestr. You receive a written due diligence report before any money leaves your account.
The main channel of communication with the lawyer is email: lawyer@lawyer-moscow.com.