Living in Russia as an Expat

Expats living in Russia can experience a unique blend of traditional culture and Western influences. The Russian Federation, as it was called after 1991 when the Soviet Union ceased to exist, is the largest country in the world. It spans nine time zones and two continents.

The energy sector has traditionally been a magnet for expats who wanted to gain further working experience or doing business there. Russia is the second largest producer and exporter of natural gas in the world and the largest producer of oil, surpassing Saudi Arabia. The country also has deposits of coal, timber and various other minerals. Other strong sectors are finance and construction.

Russia has made significant progress during the past decade in modernising its economy, which is reflected in the number of Western businesses which are now headquartered in Russia, mostly in cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg. While many junior or mid positions are now starting to be filled with locals, many senior and specialist roles are still held by the expat workforce. 

There are many stereotypes about the country which can be seen as a barrier to living and working in Russia. However, business people based there tend to downplay those ideas. Nowadays, Russia is shifting towards capitalism and many believe that cities such as Moscow are a far cry from the 1990s. The concept of innovation is welcome in Russia and they tend to be open to new ideas in business.

Here are some hints and tips which you might find useful if you're an expat living and working in Russia or are looking to relocate there. Have you got any others? What's your experience?

In business

• Russians tend to work long hours;
• Learning Russian will be useful in business and would ease your transition;
• Russians may have knowledge of a foreign language and a good idea about the West. But, don't assume that their level of fluency in English or that their idea of Western culture is good;
• Networking and finding partners is key to do business in Russia;
• A business meeting is a serious occasion and should not be treated lightly. Body language in business meetings is minimal.
• It is important to dress smartly and to try to appear as a decision-maker, so that Russians don't lose any interest;
• Allow time for Russians to answer. Expect some silence before you get a reply to your question;
• Russians tend to be more direct than we are in the West.

In life

• It is illegal to film on the metro;
• Russians can be very hospitable, and it's customary to bring flowers or wine if you're invited for dinner;
• Don't forget to bring your international health insurance with you to avoid any issues that you might have;
• Smiling is not as usual a habit as it is in the West;
• Explore! You might find fascinating their varied landscape, rich traditions, art and architecture;
• Visit Lake Baikal;
• Try their pelmeni, beet soup and other delicious recipes from their traditional cuisine.

Thanks for reading this blog post.

The Medibroker Team

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