Bandar Seri Begawan: what to see and whether to move there

Is it worth moving to Bandar Seri Begawan in 2026

Brunei's capital is a quiet and safe city on Borneo with no income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax, and low prices for housing and fuel. But moving here is almost always tied to a job: there are no separate residence programmes for remote workers, pensioners or investors, and life follows strict Sharia-based laws. The city suits oil and gas specialists, teachers and doctors with a contract from a local employer.

What it costs to live in Bandar Seri Begawan

Prices come from two independent 2026 price databases. The Brunei dollar is at par with the Singapore dollar, converted at the Monetary Authority of Singapore rate of 2 October 2026, 1.2796 per US dollar. A square metre of a flat in the centre costs about $3,100-3,120.

Where to live: districts

• Gadong - malls, restaurants and a night market, popular with foreigners.
• Kiulap and Kiarong - business quarters with offices and flats near the centre.
• Berakas - a residential area by the airport with many houses with gardens.
• Jerudong - the west by the sea, near an international school, a private medical centre and a park.
• Kampong Ayer - the famous stilt village over the river, better for walks than for living.

Visas and work permits

Russian citizens enter Brunei visa-free for up to 14 days under an intergovernmental agreement; longer stays require a visa. Living and working requires an employment pass arranged by a local employer: it is tied to that employer and issued for up to 2 years with renewal. A spouse and children receive a dependant pass for the duration of the main holder's pass, but it does not allow work. Buying property or investing does not give residence, and land ownership by foreigners is restricted.

Work and salaries

The main employers of foreigners are the oil and gas industry, public hospitals and schools, universities and contractors on large infrastructure projects. Contracts for specialists often include housing or a rent allowance, flights and health insurance, so when comparing offers look at the whole package, not just the salary. The average salary after tax is about $1,770-1,960 a month, though foreign specialists usually earn more.

Housing, money and safety

Land ownership by foreigners in Brunei is restricted, so almost all newcomers rent, and many employers pay the rent or a housing allowance. People usually rent houses with gardens in Berakas and Jerudong or flats in Gadong and Kiulap. The Brunei dollar is at par with the Singapore dollar, Singapore notes are accepted alongside local ones, and a bank account requires an employment pass. Crime is low and the city is calm day and night, but laws are strict and violations are punished harshly.

Taxes

Brunei has no income tax for residents or non-residents, no capital gains, inheritance or wealth taxes and no VAT. Companies pay 18.5% on profits earned in Brunei. So a contract salary usually arrives without deductions, but your tax status in your home country must be checked separately: no tax in Brunei does not exempt you from taxes at home if you remain resident there.

Laws and everyday life

Since 2019 the country has applied a Sharia-based penal code. Alcohol is not sold, and non-Muslims may import a small amount for personal use with a declaration. On Friday afternoons many offices close for prayers, and during Ramadan eating in public is restricted. Public transport is weak, almost everyone drives, and fuel is cheap. Singapore currency is accepted on a par with the local dollar.

Getting there and weekend trips

There are no direct flights from Russia; people connect via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Dubai. By road the capital connects to Miri and Limbang in Malaysia's Sarawak state, where residents often go at weekends for shopping and entertainment. The flight to Singapore takes about two hours, so people also go there for complex medical care and shopping.

Climate, healthcare and schools

The equatorial climate means about 27-32 degrees all year, high humidity and frequent downpours. Healthcare means the public hospital in the capital and a private medical centre in Jerudong, and many people fly to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur for complex cases. Foreign children can attend international schools with a British curriculum.

Everyday practicalities

Brunei's weekend is Friday and Sunday, Saturday is a working day, and on Friday afternoons many offices close for prayers, so errands are planned around this schedule. Mobile and home internet are reliable, with home internet at about $66 a month. Driving licences are exchanged for local ones for long stays, and many people buy a car straight away because taxis are scarce. Food is mostly imported, but fuel and utilities are cheap.

Pitfalls

• Without a contract with a local employer you cannot live in the country long term.
• Strict laws and restrictions on alcohol and public behaviour.
• Few entertainment options and a small expat community.
• A car is essential.
• Russian citizens get only 14 days visa-free.

Murblz specialists help check the contract and documents for the employment pass, and if you need residence without an employer, they suggest other Asian countries such as Malaysia.