There is no requirement to quarantine pet dogs and cats being brought into Russia, as long as they hold the necessary vaccination documents. An import permit is not required. There are stricter regulations for birds and other animals.
Cats and dogs must have a valid international veterinary document (international pet passport) showing proof of vaccination within the last 12 months against rabies and feline/canine infectious diseases. Dogs and cats being brought in from the USA who have had a 3-year rabies vaccine more than 12 months before must be revaccinated, as the 3-year vaccine is not valid in Russia.
The veterinary documents must be either in English or must be translated into Russian and notarized.
There are a number of good veterinary clinics in Moscow, and pet food and supplies are widely available.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Russia - Retiring and Pension
Russia's adverse winter weather conditions and the relatively high cost and low standard of living mean that it is not generally regarded as an attractive retirement destination for expatriates.
Permanent residents are required to pay tax in Russia on their overseas income, at a rate of 13%.
Permanent residents are required to pay tax in Russia on their overseas income, at a rate of 13%.
Russia - Leisure, Entertainment and Sports
Russians are world-renowned for their sporting ability, and the country has produced many champions in the Olympics and other international sporting events. Sports which are especially popular in Russia include football, ice hockey and tennis.
There are many good sports and recreation facilities in Moscow, St Petersburg and other cities and towns. Within the expatriate communities there are a wide range of organized sports and leisure pursuits - in Moscow for example these include softball, rugby, running, hiking, hockey, cross-country skiing and ice-skating. Moscow and St Petersburg also have a wide range of expatriate clubs and associations covering non-sporting leisure pursuits and interests.
Moscow has an abundance of virtually all forms of culture and entertainment, including opera, theatre, museums, exhibitions, concerts, cinemas, bowling alleys, casinos, discos, nightclubs and bars. It is home to the world-famous Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Company, the Moscow Circus and a number of philharmonics, with regular evening performances. There are a wide choice of dining options in the city, including many American restaurants and fast-food eateries. A free entertainment guide ''Element'', is published in English and is widely available in stores and restaurants throughout the city.
Entertainment can also be found in the form of the many traditional festivals celebrated in Russia, usually characterized by much drinking of vodka. Easter and Christmas are celebrated with religious services and candlelight processions, and New Year with gift-giving. The main other traditional festivals in various parts of the country include St Petersburg's spring classical music festival, and White Nights festival at the end of June, and the Russian Winter Festival in Moscow, St Petersburg and Novgorod in late December/early January, marked by many traditional performances.
There are many good sports and recreation facilities in Moscow, St Petersburg and other cities and towns. Within the expatriate communities there are a wide range of organized sports and leisure pursuits - in Moscow for example these include softball, rugby, running, hiking, hockey, cross-country skiing and ice-skating. Moscow and St Petersburg also have a wide range of expatriate clubs and associations covering non-sporting leisure pursuits and interests.
Moscow has an abundance of virtually all forms of culture and entertainment, including opera, theatre, museums, exhibitions, concerts, cinemas, bowling alleys, casinos, discos, nightclubs and bars. It is home to the world-famous Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Company, the Moscow Circus and a number of philharmonics, with regular evening performances. There are a wide choice of dining options in the city, including many American restaurants and fast-food eateries. A free entertainment guide ''Element'', is published in English and is widely available in stores and restaurants throughout the city.
Entertainment can also be found in the form of the many traditional festivals celebrated in Russia, usually characterized by much drinking of vodka. Easter and Christmas are celebrated with religious services and candlelight processions, and New Year with gift-giving. The main other traditional festivals in various parts of the country include St Petersburg's spring classical music festival, and White Nights festival at the end of June, and the Russian Winter Festival in Moscow, St Petersburg and Novgorod in late December/early January, marked by many traditional performances.
Russia - Food and Drink
Food
Russian cuisine derives its rich and varied character from the vast and multicultural expanse of Russia. Its foundations were laid by the peasant food of the rural population in an often harsh climate, with a combination of plentiful fish, poultry, game, mushrooms, berries, and honey. Crops of rye, wheat, barley, and millet provided the ingredients for a plethora of breads, pancakes, cereals, kvass, beer, and vodka. Flavourful soups and stews centred on seasonal or storable produce, fish, and meats. This wholly native food remained the staples for the vast majority of Russians well into the 20th century. Lying on the northern reaches of the ancient Silk Road, as well as Russia's close proximity to the Caucasus, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire has provided an inescapable Eastern character to its cooking methods (not so much in European Russia but distinguishable in the North Caucasus). Russia's renowned caviar is easily obtained, however prices can exceed the expenses of your entire trip. Dishes such as beef Stroganov and chicken kiev, from the pre-revolutionary era are available but mainly aimed at tourists as they lost their status and visibility during Soviet times. Russian specialities include:
- Pelmeni (meat-filled dumplings)
- Blini (crêpes)
- Black bread
- Borsch (red soup/beetroot soup)
- Piroshki (Meat or cabbage pie)
- Golubsti (Cabbage rolls)
- Ikra Baklazhanaya (aubergine caviar)
- Shi (cabbage soup)
- Vareniki (Ukrainian dumplings)
- Vinegret (beet and boiled vegetable salad)
- Olivier (potato salad)
- Shashlyk (various kebabs from the Caucasus republics of the former Soviet Union)
Both Saint Petersburg and Moscow offer sophisticated, world class dining and a wide variety of cuisines including Japanese, Tibetan and Italian. They are also excellent cities to sample some of the best cuisines of the former Soviet Union (e.g., Georgian and Uzbek). It is also possible to eat well and cheaply there without resorting to the many western fast food chains that have opened up. Russians have their own versions of fast food restaurants which range from cafeteria style serving comfort foods to streetside kiosks cooking up blinis or stuffed potatos. Although their menus may not be in English, it is fairly easy to point to what is wanted - or at a picture of it, not unlike at western fast food restaurants. A small Russian dictionary will be useful at non- touristy restaurants offering table service where staff members will not speak English and the menus will be entirely in Cyrillic, but prices very reasonable. Russian meat soups and meat pies are excellent.
It is better not to drink the tap water in Russia and to avoid using ice in drinks, however bottled water and Coca Cola is available everywhere food is served.
Stylish cafes serving cappuccino, expresso, toasted sandwiches, rich cakes and pastries are popping up all over Saint Petersburg and Moscow. Some do double duty as wine bars, others are also internet cafes.
Unlike Europe, cafes in Russia (кафе) do not serve only drinks, but also a full range of meals (typically cooked in advance--unlike restaurants where part or whole cooking cycle is performed after you make an order).
Drink
Vodka, imported liquors (rum, gin, etc), international soft-drinks (Pepsi, Coca- Cola, Fanta, etc), local soft drinks (Tarhun, Buratino, Baikal, etc.), distilled water, kvas (sour-sweet non-alcoholic naturally carbonized drink made from fermented dark bread) and mors (traditional wild berry drink). Beer in Russia is cheap and the varieties are endless of both Russian and international brands. It is found for sale (warm) at any street vendor in the center of any city and costs (costs double and triple the closer you are to the center) from about 13 Rubles (about 50 US cents) to 60 Rubles (about 2 US Dollars) Popular local brands are Baltika, Stary Melnik, Bochkareff, Zolotaya Bochka, Tinkoff and many others.
Mixed alcoholic beverages as well as beers at nightclubs are extremely expensive and are served without ice, with the mix (for example, coke) and alcohol charged for separately. It is advisable to drink your heart out beforehand, as drinking in public is legal.
Wines from Georgia and Moldova are quite popular (although all products from Georgia are illegal 2005). In Moscow and Saint Petersburg, most restaurants have a selection of European wines--generally at a high price. Please note that Russians prefer sweet wine as opposed to dry. French Chablis is widely available at restaurants and is of good quality. The Chablis runs about 240 rubles per glass ($8 USD currently). All white wines are served room temperature unless you are at an international hotel that caters to Westerners.
Soviet champagne is also served everywhere in the former Soviet Union at a reasonable price, the quality is on the level of cheap European sparkling wines. If you specify that you want your champagne "sukhoe" (dry) or brut, the champagne is surprisingly drinkable and on the same level as a Vueve Clicquot.
Russian cuisine derives its rich and varied character from the vast and multicultural expanse of Russia. Its foundations were laid by the peasant food of the rural population in an often harsh climate, with a combination of plentiful fish, poultry, game, mushrooms, berries, and honey. Crops of rye, wheat, barley, and millet provided the ingredients for a plethora of breads, pancakes, cereals, kvass, beer, and vodka. Flavourful soups and stews centred on seasonal or storable produce, fish, and meats. This wholly native food remained the staples for the vast majority of Russians well into the 20th century. Lying on the northern reaches of the ancient Silk Road, as well as Russia's close proximity to the Caucasus, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire has provided an inescapable Eastern character to its cooking methods (not so much in European Russia but distinguishable in the North Caucasus). Russia's renowned caviar is easily obtained, however prices can exceed the expenses of your entire trip. Dishes such as beef Stroganov and chicken kiev, from the pre-revolutionary era are available but mainly aimed at tourists as they lost their status and visibility during Soviet times. Russian specialities include:
- Pelmeni (meat-filled dumplings)
- Blini (crêpes)
- Black bread
- Borsch (red soup/beetroot soup)
- Piroshki (Meat or cabbage pie)
- Golubsti (Cabbage rolls)
- Ikra Baklazhanaya (aubergine caviar)
- Shi (cabbage soup)
- Vareniki (Ukrainian dumplings)
- Vinegret (beet and boiled vegetable salad)
- Olivier (potato salad)
- Shashlyk (various kebabs from the Caucasus republics of the former Soviet Union)
Both Saint Petersburg and Moscow offer sophisticated, world class dining and a wide variety of cuisines including Japanese, Tibetan and Italian. They are also excellent cities to sample some of the best cuisines of the former Soviet Union (e.g., Georgian and Uzbek). It is also possible to eat well and cheaply there without resorting to the many western fast food chains that have opened up. Russians have their own versions of fast food restaurants which range from cafeteria style serving comfort foods to streetside kiosks cooking up blinis or stuffed potatos. Although their menus may not be in English, it is fairly easy to point to what is wanted - or at a picture of it, not unlike at western fast food restaurants. A small Russian dictionary will be useful at non- touristy restaurants offering table service where staff members will not speak English and the menus will be entirely in Cyrillic, but prices very reasonable. Russian meat soups and meat pies are excellent.
It is better not to drink the tap water in Russia and to avoid using ice in drinks, however bottled water and Coca Cola is available everywhere food is served.
Stylish cafes serving cappuccino, expresso, toasted sandwiches, rich cakes and pastries are popping up all over Saint Petersburg and Moscow. Some do double duty as wine bars, others are also internet cafes.
Unlike Europe, cafes in Russia (кафе) do not serve only drinks, but also a full range of meals (typically cooked in advance--unlike restaurants where part or whole cooking cycle is performed after you make an order).
Drink
Vodka, imported liquors (rum, gin, etc), international soft-drinks (Pepsi, Coca- Cola, Fanta, etc), local soft drinks (Tarhun, Buratino, Baikal, etc.), distilled water, kvas (sour-sweet non-alcoholic naturally carbonized drink made from fermented dark bread) and mors (traditional wild berry drink). Beer in Russia is cheap and the varieties are endless of both Russian and international brands. It is found for sale (warm) at any street vendor in the center of any city and costs (costs double and triple the closer you are to the center) from about 13 Rubles (about 50 US cents) to 60 Rubles (about 2 US Dollars) Popular local brands are Baltika, Stary Melnik, Bochkareff, Zolotaya Bochka, Tinkoff and many others.
Mixed alcoholic beverages as well as beers at nightclubs are extremely expensive and are served without ice, with the mix (for example, coke) and alcohol charged for separately. It is advisable to drink your heart out beforehand, as drinking in public is legal.
Wines from Georgia and Moldova are quite popular (although all products from Georgia are illegal 2005). In Moscow and Saint Petersburg, most restaurants have a selection of European wines--generally at a high price. Please note that Russians prefer sweet wine as opposed to dry. French Chablis is widely available at restaurants and is of good quality. The Chablis runs about 240 rubles per glass ($8 USD currently). All white wines are served room temperature unless you are at an international hotel that caters to Westerners.
Soviet champagne is also served everywhere in the former Soviet Union at a reasonable price, the quality is on the level of cheap European sparkling wines. If you specify that you want your champagne "sukhoe" (dry) or brut, the champagne is surprisingly drinkable and on the same level as a Vueve Clicquot.
Russia - Driving and Public Transportation
Foreign nationals visiting Russia as short-term visitors who wish to drive their own cars while in the country must hold an International Driving Permit and a national licence with an authorized translation. They must also carry their passport and visa at all times. They are required to submit details of their routes and planned stopovers when entering the country, to complete a customs form confirming that the car will be taken out of the country by a certain date, to purchase petrol vouchers at the border and to arrange Russian motor insurance. There are insurance officers at border crossings. A road tax is payable on entry to the country.
Road travel is only really possible within the European part of Russia, but even here roads outside the cities are poor and petrol stations few and far between in some areas. In Siberia and the rest of the country the few roads are unusable during winter.
Speed limits are 60 kmph in built up areas, 90 kmph in non built-up areas, and 100 kmph on highways. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. It is against the law to sound the horn unless it is necessary to avoid an accident, and it is also illegal to carry unauthorized passengers or to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Cars must have registration plates and stickers indicating the country of registration, and must by law be fitted with seat belts, a first-aid kid, fire extinguishers and emergency triangle.
Within Moscow the traffic congestion is very bad, and typical commutes within the city are around 1 hour. Driving standards are poor, the traffic laws are not well enforced and accidents are common. Most expats find there is no need to own a car as the public transport is cheap and reliable, although very crowded in rush hours. Some choose to employ their own drivers, or have drivers provided by their employers.
In Moscow the main forms of public transport are the metro, tramway and trolleybus. The Metro stations are renowned for their elegant and grand decor, and the Metro services are frequent and efficient. The buses and trolleys tend to be much slower and are usually overcrowded. There are many official taxis, and it is also common practice for people in Moscow to hail private drivers and negotiate a price for a lift.
Russia has a poor safety record for internal air travel, particularly since Aeroflot was disbanded into numerous small airlines. Regulation of the airways is still poor, but standards are gradually improving. Since the airlines are required to meet higher standards for international flights, it is advisable to travel within Russia on a flight which ultimately has a foreign destination. Moscow is the main hub for internal air travel hub, with flight routes between its four airports and all other main cities.
Within European Russia there is an extensive and fairly efficient rail network which reaches virtually all settlements. Although the network is predominantly used for freight transport, there are passenger services with relatively cheap fares, sleeper facilities and reasonably comfortable accommodation. The Trans-Siberian Express runs daily from St Petersburg, across Russia to Vladivostok in Siberia, with onward steamer services to Japan once a week. The Trans-Manchurian Express from St Petersburg to Beijing runs on the same initial route before turning southeast into China, while the Trans-Mongolian Railway runs between Moscow and Beijing via Mongolia. There are also long-distance bus and coach services between the main towns.
It is also possible to travel within Russia by river. Passenger boat services operate regularly between Moscow and St Petersburg, and between Moscow and various settlements on the Volga and Don Rivers.
Road travel is only really possible within the European part of Russia, but even here roads outside the cities are poor and petrol stations few and far between in some areas. In Siberia and the rest of the country the few roads are unusable during winter.
Speed limits are 60 kmph in built up areas, 90 kmph in non built-up areas, and 100 kmph on highways. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. It is against the law to sound the horn unless it is necessary to avoid an accident, and it is also illegal to carry unauthorized passengers or to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Cars must have registration plates and stickers indicating the country of registration, and must by law be fitted with seat belts, a first-aid kid, fire extinguishers and emergency triangle.
Within Moscow the traffic congestion is very bad, and typical commutes within the city are around 1 hour. Driving standards are poor, the traffic laws are not well enforced and accidents are common. Most expats find there is no need to own a car as the public transport is cheap and reliable, although very crowded in rush hours. Some choose to employ their own drivers, or have drivers provided by their employers.
In Moscow the main forms of public transport are the metro, tramway and trolleybus. The Metro stations are renowned for their elegant and grand decor, and the Metro services are frequent and efficient. The buses and trolleys tend to be much slower and are usually overcrowded. There are many official taxis, and it is also common practice for people in Moscow to hail private drivers and negotiate a price for a lift.
Russia has a poor safety record for internal air travel, particularly since Aeroflot was disbanded into numerous small airlines. Regulation of the airways is still poor, but standards are gradually improving. Since the airlines are required to meet higher standards for international flights, it is advisable to travel within Russia on a flight which ultimately has a foreign destination. Moscow is the main hub for internal air travel hub, with flight routes between its four airports and all other main cities.
Within European Russia there is an extensive and fairly efficient rail network which reaches virtually all settlements. Although the network is predominantly used for freight transport, there are passenger services with relatively cheap fares, sleeper facilities and reasonably comfortable accommodation. The Trans-Siberian Express runs daily from St Petersburg, across Russia to Vladivostok in Siberia, with onward steamer services to Japan once a week. The Trans-Manchurian Express from St Petersburg to Beijing runs on the same initial route before turning southeast into China, while the Trans-Mongolian Railway runs between Moscow and Beijing via Mongolia. There are also long-distance bus and coach services between the main towns.
It is also possible to travel within Russia by river. Passenger boat services operate regularly between Moscow and St Petersburg, and between Moscow and various settlements on the Volga and Don Rivers.
Russia - Communications (Telephone, Post, Internet, TV, Radio)
Russia's telephone system is adequate, and nearly every house and apartment has a fixed line already installed, which can be easily transferred into a new tenant's name. Local calls are free but a per-minute charging system is planned for the future. It is not possible to make long distance calls from all phones.
Russia has three main mobile phone network providers: MTS, BeeLine, and Megafon, offering similar services and coverage. Most of the country has mobile phone coverage, except for some very remote areas. Russia also has roaming agreements with many international network providers.
There are also three satellite phone services covering all parts of the country.
The postal system in Russia is very poor and extremely slow. It is common for items to go astray. Delivery of airmail to Western European countries reportedly takes several weeks, while inland mail delivery is also slow and unreliable. Many expatriates rent a PO Box in Helsinki, and have their post forwarded from to Moscow or St Petersburg, as this is faster. Post offices are usually open between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays.
There are a large number of internet providers but the quality of service varies, and connections are slow and unreliable compared with other countries. Major providers include Cityline, Matrix, and Russia Online. Broadband and cable internet access are available. Typical internet charges are the equivalent of around US$30-$50 per month.
Russia has a large broadcasting market, with a combination of state-owned and commercial TV and radio stations. Following earlier liberalization, the state has recently taken back greater control over the national networks. Cable and satellite TV are available, with a range of English language channels including BBC, CNN, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel. In 2005 a new state-funded English-language satellite channel was launched by the Kremlin, Russia Today, which presents world news from a 'Russian perspective.'. On the radio, the 'Voice of Russia' broadcasts regularly in English.
Russia has three main mobile phone network providers: MTS, BeeLine, and Megafon, offering similar services and coverage. Most of the country has mobile phone coverage, except for some very remote areas. Russia also has roaming agreements with many international network providers.
There are also three satellite phone services covering all parts of the country.
The postal system in Russia is very poor and extremely slow. It is common for items to go astray. Delivery of airmail to Western European countries reportedly takes several weeks, while inland mail delivery is also slow and unreliable. Many expatriates rent a PO Box in Helsinki, and have their post forwarded from to Moscow or St Petersburg, as this is faster. Post offices are usually open between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays.
There are a large number of internet providers but the quality of service varies, and connections are slow and unreliable compared with other countries. Major providers include Cityline, Matrix, and Russia Online. Broadband and cable internet access are available. Typical internet charges are the equivalent of around US$30-$50 per month.
Russia has a large broadcasting market, with a combination of state-owned and commercial TV and radio stations. Following earlier liberalization, the state has recently taken back greater control over the national networks. Cable and satellite TV are available, with a range of English language channels including BBC, CNN, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel. In 2005 a new state-funded English-language satellite channel was launched by the Kremlin, Russia Today, which presents world news from a 'Russian perspective.'. On the radio, the 'Voice of Russia' broadcasts regularly in English.
Russia - Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water)
220V 50HzHz
European plug with two circular metal pins
Utilities bills are very low in Russia. Expatriates report total bills for building maintenance, electricity, gas, water and telephone services of around US$40 per month.
In apartment blocks centralized heating is provided between autumn and spring for a small monthly fee. There are no apartment thermostats, temperature control is by opening and closing windows. It may be necessary to purchase a heater for winter, as it is unpredictable when the centralized heating will be turned on.
It is normal practice for water supplies to be turned off for a few weeks in the daytime in summer for maintenance.
European plug with two circular metal pins
Utilities bills are very low in Russia. Expatriates report total bills for building maintenance, electricity, gas, water and telephone services of around US$40 per month.
In apartment blocks centralized heating is provided between autumn and spring for a small monthly fee. There are no apartment thermostats, temperature control is by opening and closing windows. It may be necessary to purchase a heater for winter, as it is unpredictable when the centralized heating will be turned on.
It is normal practice for water supplies to be turned off for a few weeks in the daytime in summer for maintenance.
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