Moving to Armenia in 2026

Moving to Armenia: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Citizens of the European Union, the US, the UK and many other countries enter Armenia visa-free and stay up to 180 days a year without a residence permit. That is enough time to look around, rent a home and file for a temporary residence permit, which is decided in about 30 days.

1. First week. Rent a flat, get a local SIM card with your passport and a public services number, needed for work, taxes and many services.
2. Weeks 2-3. An Armenian bank account and a local payment card.
3. Weeks 3-4. A notarised passport translation, documents for your ground and filing for temporary residence: work, business, property, study or family.

From 1 November 2026 the temporary residence fee rises to about $420. A family budget is worked out in the chat.

Armenia in brief

Armenia is a mountainous South Caucasus country of about 3 million people, a third of whom live in the capital, Yerevan. Armenia is in the Eurasian Economic Union, and Russian is understood almost everywhere. Since 2022 tens of thousands of people have moved here, and the IT sector and rental market have grown.

The country attracts with simple residence, moderate taxes, incentives for IT and small business, safety and a welcoming culture. The currency is the dram, about 362 drams per dollar on 05.10.2026.

How to move in 2026

The temporary residence fee is about $290, about $420 from 1 November 2026. The card is collected in person, and the passport is translated by a notary.

Rules for specific nationalities

Armenia belongs to the Eurasian Economic Union, and some rules depend on the passport.

• Russia. Russian citizens enter Armenia with an internal or international passport and stay up to 180 days a year without a residence permit. Russian bank cards do not work in Armenia, transfers to and from Russia are restricted, and a double tax treaty with Russia is in force.

Permanent residence and citizenship

Naturalisation is possible after 3 years of legal residence with Armenian language and constitution knowledge; the route is simpler for people of Armenian origin and spouses of citizens. A decision takes up to 90 working days, the fee is about $140, and dual citizenship is allowed. See Armenian citizenship.

Taxes

You become tax resident after 183 days a year or by your centre of vital interests. See Armenia taxes.

Property

Foreigners can buy flats and houses but not land directly: the plot under a house is held through an Armenian company or leased. Buying a home is one of the bases for temporary residence. Since 2022 prices and rents in Yerevan have risen noticeably, and new buildings in the centre sell at prices comparable to Eastern European cities.

Business and accounts

A company is registered in one or two days, with turnover-tax regimes and IT incentives. Banks open accounts for foreigners, but source-of-funds and payment checks have tightened. We help with company registration and personal accounts.

Cost of living

Family: schools and healthcare

Yerevan has Russian-language schools and classes, as well as English-language international schools, about $6,000-20,000 a year. Private clinics are inexpensive and modern, and many doctors speak Russian.

Where to live

Almost all newcomers live in Yerevan, most often in the central Kentron and Arabkir districts. Gyumri is chosen for low prices and its old-town atmosphere, Dilijan for mountains, forest and an international school, and the Lake Sevan shore for country life in summer. See the Yerevan city guide.

Practicalities

• first obtain a public services number: it is needed for work, taxes and many services;
• an Armenian bank account is opened with a passport, but banks ask to confirm the source of funds;
• a local payment card is arranged straight away;
• a local SIM card is bought with a passport at an operator's shop;
• for residence, a notarised passport translation and documents on the basis are prepared in advance.

Pros and cons of moving

Pros: visa-free entry for many nationalities, up to 180 days a year without residence, fast residence, Russian understood almost everywhere in Yerevan, a strong IT scene and safety. Cons: Yerevan rents rose after 2022, the country is outside the European Union, and the residence fee rises in November 2026. Armenia works well as a calm base for remote work and IT business.

Who Armenia suits

Remote workers and IT specialists, small business owners and families who value Russian, safety and simple residence. Armenia suits less those who need a strong travel passport: the Armenian passport opens fewer visa-free destinations than a European one.