Business in Russia

Did you know that Russia is, in fact, a great place for doing business? There are several reasons for it.  
Firstly, starting a business in Russia is simple. A company can be registered within just a few business days. There are no extensive regulations and license requirements.
Secondly, starting a business in Russia is cheap. You don't need to have big capital. Rental and utility fees are rather low. Russia has many qualified professionals with lower salary expectations compared to their Western colleagues.
Thirdly, running a business in Russia is easy. The competition in Russia is not as strong as in the U.S. or the EU. Entering the market became even easier after some brands left Russia because of geopolitical tensions. There are numerous business opportunities especially in IT & high-tech sectors, education, finance & investments, farming, retail and hospitality industry.
Finally, running a business in Russia is profitable. In addition to low expenses, small businesses enjoy simplified taxation with the tax rate as low as just 6%. Vast domestic market and easy access to CIS, East Asian, South Asian and Middle Eastern markets guarantee you will always have enough clients.  
Check 5 startup ideas for a business in Russia.

How to register a company in Russia?

When you have a business idea and a business plan, registering a company is usually the next thing you need to do to start your own business in Russia. Here is a step-by-step instruction on how to register a company in Russia.
Step 1. Find a legal address. Each company should have a legal address where it can receive mail from the Federal Tax Service. The company may be registered at a rented address or at a home address of its owner/CEO.
Step 2. Choose taxation system. Most businesses are eligible for a simplified taxation system: you may choose to pay either a 6 per cent income tax or a 15 per cent profit tax.
Step 3. Prepare the application paperwork. To register a company you will need to prepare a filled in application form, a company charter, an owner's decision to set up the company and a document confirming the legal address. Don't forget to pay the state duty for the company registration, it is just 4,000 Rub.
Step 4. Submit the paperwork to the Tax Service. Company registration takes just 3-4 business days. When your company is registered, you will get an extract from the State registry and a corporate tax ID.
Step 5. Open a bank account. Choose the bank and follow its instructions. Alfa Bank, Tinkoff Bank, Sberbank and Tochka Bank are the most popular for corporate banking.

Can I work for my Russian company? 

Any foreign citizen can register and own a company in Russia. However, not everyone can take the company's CEO position. To become a company's CEO a person needs to have Russian citizenship, residence permit or a work visa and a work permit.
A work permit can be processed by the Immigration Department upon your company's request. A temporary CEO will be required to handle this procedure.

Corporate taxes in Russia 

Russian small businesses are eligible for simplified corporate taxation. If a company has less than 100 employees and its annual income is below 150 million rubles (about $2 million), it can choose to pay either a 6 per cent corporate income tax or 15 per cent corporate profit tax (which is to be paid for the difference between income and expenses). No other taxes should be paid under simplified taxation system.
If the company doesn't qualify for simplified taxation, it should pay a profit tax (20 per cent) and a value added tax (0-20 per cent). In some special cases a property tax, water tax, mineral tax may apply.
In addition to taxes, Russian businesses are expected to make insurance payments for their employees. The rates are linked to their salaries and amount to: 22 per cent for pension insurance, 2.9 per cent for social security insurance and 5.1 per cent for medical insurance.

Our services

Business Registration Assistance
💡 Business Setup Consultation
Guidance on company types, taxation and the key requirements for starting a business in Russia.
📄 Registration Documents
Preparing the business registration paperwork.
🧭 Step-by-Step Support
Clear remote guidance through the registration process and document submission procedure.
Cost: $600
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Business Consulting
💼 Business & Investment Guidance
An online consultation with our attorney covering business and investment opportunities in Russia and the key legal considerations.
📊 Starting & Running a Business
Guidance on company registration, taxation, corporate requirements and employment regulations.
💬 Answers to Your Questions
Personalised answers to your Russia-related business and legal questions, based on your individual plans and situation.
Cost: $150
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Business Legal Support
💡 Legal Advice & Opinions
Guidance on Russian civil, commercial, labour and administrative legislation relevant to your business.
📄 Contracts & Legal Documents
Preparation and review of business paperwork, including service, employment and sales contracts, NDAs, powers of attorney and other legal documents.
®️ IP & Document Services
Assistance with trademark registration, intellectual property protection, document translation, apostille and notary services.
Cost: $100 / hour
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