BRIDGES Insights
Where to Move from Russia in 2026: TOP-10 Countries with Real Comparison
Updated: June 2026·14 min read·Expert reviewed
Terms and costs verified: June 2026
Over the past three years, I have conducted hundreds of consultations with people asking the same question: "Where should I go?" The question seems simple, but behind it lie different lives. Some want to work remotely in peace. Some are looking for an EU passport for their children. Some are tired of uncertainty and simply want predictability. In 2026, the map of destinations has changed. Some countries where people massively moved in 2022 are no longer so straightforward: prices have risen, rules have tightened, attitudes have changed. Others, conversely, have opened up or become more convenient. I will not give you a beautiful ranking of the "best countries in the world." I will tell you - what works, what costs money, and what looks attractive only at first glance. I compare based on criteria that truly matter: entry threshold, taxes, attitude toward Russian citizens, complexity of legalization, and quality of life. Choose based on your situation.
How I Choose a Country for a Client
UAE: Zero Taxes and 10-Year Visa
Turkey: Most Affordable Residence Permit through Real Estate
Georgia: 365 Days Visa-Free and Minimal Tax
Armenia: Visa-Free Entry and Russian-Speaking Environment
Serbia: IT Community and Gateway to Europe
Cyprus: Lifetime EU Permanent Residence for €300k
Portugal: D7 Visa and Tax Regime for Retirees and Freelancers
"People often ask me: 'Anna, where would you move yourself?' I answer : it depends on what profile I would have at the time of relocation. If I had $500k in capital and an active business - UAE. No taxes, infrastructure, security, aviation hub. Yes, it's expensive to live there, but that's the price of predictability. If I had Bulgarian ancestry - I would do it first. EU passport in 9 months with no investment - this is the best effort-to-result ratio of anything I know. If I worked remotely and wanted a warm climate with reasonable taxes - Cyprus. EU permanent residence for €300k, no tax on foreign income for 17 years, sea and sun. But I see another pattern in my practice that people rarely speak about openly. Many clients come to me in an emotionally difficult state - they are exhausted, frightened, want to drop everything and leave "anywhere, just far away." I understand them. But it is precisely in this state that people make the most costly mistakes: buying real estate in a rush, choosing a country based on an Instagram picture, moving somewhere where they will be uncomfortable. My role is to slow down and ask the right questions. What matters more to you: asset security or freedom of movement? Will children attend a local school or an international one? Are you planning to return someday or is this forever? Is there anyone in the family who needs specialized medical care? The answers to these questions change everything. And then "where to move" transforms from a painful dilemma into a concrete plan with clear steps."
Greece: Golden Visa - Residence Permit for Real Estate Purchase
Bulgaria: Most Affordable EU Country
Israel: Repatriation Under the Law of Return
Comparing Entry Costs: Summary Table
Taxes: Where It's Most Profitable for Individuals
Attitude Toward Russians: Where It's Comfortable, Where It's Challenging
How to Choose: 5-Minute Algorithm
Frequently asked
Questions people ask before deciding
01Which country is easiest to move to from Russia in 2026?
The lowest entry threshold is Georgia (365 days visa-free, no documents), Armenia (visa-free, residence permit through registration), Serbia (visa-free 30 days, residence permit through business). For a "soft start" without investments, these are the best options.
02Is it possible to move to the EU without significant money?
Yes, if you have roots. Bulgarian descent provides an EU passport without investments. Portuguese D7 visa requires only confirmed income of €760 per month. Investment programs - Cyprus from €300,000, Greece from €400,000.
03Where in Europe are there no problems with bank accounts for Russian citizens?
Cyprus with permanent residence, Bulgaria with residence permit, Serbia. EU permanent residence or EU country residence permit significantly simplifies opening accounts - you are a resident, not just a "Russian citizen". UAE - Wio Bank operates, NBD requires a personal visit.
04Which countries do Russians not need a visa for?
Visa-free in 2026 for Russian citizens: Turkey, Georgia (365 days), Armenia, Serbia (30 days), UAE (30 days with Schengen visa or without for tourists), several Asian and Latin American countries. Schengen and most EU countries - visa required.
05Where are the lowest taxes for those who have moved from Russia?
UAE - 0% income tax. Bulgaria and Georgia - flat tax 10%. Cyprus - non-residents under non-domicile status are exempt from tax on foreign dividends for 17 years. Israel - olim hadash 10 years without tax on foreign income.
06What does Cyprus permanent residence provide and how is it better than a regular residence permit?
Cyprus permanent residence under Regulation 6(2) - lifetime status, requiring no annual renewal. Only one visit to Cyprus every two years is required. Opens European banks, gives the right to reside in an EU country. Investment from €300,000 in new construction.
07Is it possible to obtain EU citizenship through Bulgarian roots if documents are not preserved?
Yes, if vital records are lost, church books and other archival sources are used. We have worked with such cases: we restored documents through Bulgarian archives, ZAGS office at the place of origin of the ancestor. This requires time, but it is quite realistic.
08Should Turkey be considered for permanent residence?
Yes, if you are comfortable living outside the EU. Turkish passport - 110+ visa-free countries, including Japan and Singapore, but not Schengen. Residence permit through real estate from $200k. Attitude towards Russians is neutral. Citizenship for $400k is a viable second passport option.
09Who is eligible for the Israel repatriation program?
Jews and their descendants up to the third generation (grandchildren), as well as spouses of such persons. Documentary proof of origin is required. Grants citizenship, 10-year tax benefits on foreign income, visa-free access to the USA. Suitable as both primary and secondary passport.
10How long does relocation and document processing take?
Depends on the program. Fast: UAE Golden Visa - 2-4 weeks after purchase. Cyprus residence permit - 6-8 months. Bulgaria by descent - approximately 9 months. Portugal D7 - 3 to 9 months including application appointment scheduling. Israel - 6 to 12 months.
11Can you relocate with children and how does this affect the program?
Most programs include children automatically: Cyprus - up to age 25, Greece - up to age 21, UAE - no age limit. For children, language and school considerations often determine country choice - UAE and Serbia have good international schools, Bulgaria and Greece are more affordable.
12Should you move to Georgia or Armenia as a permanent base?
As a temporary base or transitional stage - yes, this is reasonable. As a long-term strategy - with caution. Georgia has political instability and increasingly difficult banking conditions. Armenia - small market, banking difficulties for Russian citizens. For "buying time and figuring things out" - suitable; for a 10-year plan - something more reliable is needed.
Transparency
How this material was prepared
- Author
- Sergey Evdokimov, managing Partner, BRIDGES
- Terms and costs last verified
- June 2026
- Sources
- official government authorities of the relevant country and state publications
- Methodology
- government minimum requirements are stated separately from due diligence charges, state fees, legal and banking costs
Sources and methodology
Figures, terms and timelines are checked against official sources as of June 2026. Link availability verified in August 2026. Third-party blogs and agent websites are not used as a source of programme terms.
- [1]EUR-LexOfficial texts of European Union legislationeur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html
- [2]European Commission - Migration and Home AffairsEntry and residence rules in the EUhome-affairs.ec.europa.eu/index_en
Methodology: tables and charts state government minimum investment requirements; due diligence charges, state fees, legal, banking and other costs are calculated separately and are not included in the minimum thresholds.
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