Kazakhstan: all programs

Kazakhstan in brief

Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country, about 2.7 million square kilometres between the Caspian Sea, Russia, China and Central Asia. The population is about 20 million. The capital is Astana, and the largest city and business centre is Almaty. The economy rests on oil and gas, metals and uranium, of which Kazakhstan is the world's top producer, and in recent years finance, logistics and IT have grown fast. The currency is the tenge.

Kazakhstan suits those who need quick visa-free entry, Russian in daily life, modest taxes and simple business registration, as well as entrepreneurs working with Russia, China and Central Asia. It suits less those who want to keep a second passport: dual citizenship is prohibited in Kazakhstan.

How to move in 2026

Citizens of Eurasian Economic Union countries, including Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, can take employment in Kazakhstan without a work permit. Citizenship is granted after 5 years of permanent residence, or after 3 years of marriage to a citizen, with an exam in Kazakh, the Constitution and history. More on the pages about residence and Kazakh citizenship.

Taxes

A new Tax Code has applied since 1 January 2026. Income tax became progressive: 10% on annual income up to 36,762,500 tenge (about $82,110) and 15% above that. Dividends are taxed at 5% up to a high threshold and 15% above it. Corporate tax is 20%, VAT rose to 16%, and the simplified regime for small businesses is 4% of turnover. Salaries are subject to 10% pension and 2% health insurance contributions, and the sale of a home owned for more than 2 years is tax-free. Tax residents pay on worldwide income. More on the page about Kazakh taxes.

Business and the financial centre

A limited liability partnership is registered online through the e-government portal, usually in one day, and a foreigner can be the sole participant. For financial and consulting firms there is the Astana International Financial Centre - a special zone with English law, its own court and arbitration, where financial services are exempt from corporate tax until 2066. Technology companies can join the tech park in Astana and receive tax benefits and simplified hiring of foreign specialists. More on the page about company registration in Kazakhstan.

Property

A foreigner can register a flat or a house in their own name only with a residence permit: the law lets permanent residents own housing and excludes those who are in the country temporarily - on a visa, visa-free or with temporary residence. Commercial property, such as an office, a shop or a warehouse, can be bought in your own name without a residence permit, but agricultural land cannot be bought by foreigners. For a home the order is residence permit first, flat second, and we handle both steps. The deal is registered through a public service centre and requires an individual identification number. The most active markets are Almaty and Astana, with many new developments. A home owned for more than 2 years can be sold tax-free. More on the page about property in Kazakhstan.

Cost of living

Kazakhstan is noticeably cheaper than Europe: groceries, transport, cafés and services are inexpensive, and utility bills are low. The most expensive cities are Almaty and Astana, where rents rose after 2022 because of newcomers. Prices are also above average in the oil towns of Atyrau and Aktau. Private healthcare and international schools are available in the big cities, at prices comparable with neighbouring countries.

Where to live

• Almaty. The largest city at the foot of the mountains, the business and cultural centre, with cafés and a ski resort half an hour away. The downside is winter smog.
• Astana. The capital with modern architecture, ministries and the financial centre. Winter frosts reach minus 30-40 degrees.
• Shymkent. The third-largest city in the south, with a warm climate and the lowest prices among the big cities.
• Atyrau and Aktau. Oil cities in the west; Aktau stands on the Caspian shore.
• Karaganda and Oskemen. Industrial centres with affordable housing.

Practicalities

• Entry. Russian citizens enter visa-free, including on an internal passport, and can stay up to 90 days within 180 days.
• Language. Kazakh is the state language, Russian is officially used on an equal footing, and almost everyone in the big cities speaks Russian.
• Digital services. An individual identification number is issued at a public service centre, after which almost all government services, taxes and banking are available by phone.
• Climate. Sharply continental: hot summers and cold winters, especially in the north and in Astana.
• Getting there. Almaty and Astana have direct flights to Europe, Turkey, the Gulf, China, Korea and Russia.

Who Kazakhstan suits

Kazakhstan is a convenient option for a quick family move, work and business in Russian, modest taxes and access to the markets of Central Asia and China. Those who want to keep their previous citizenship or obtain a passport with wide visa-free access should look at other countries. Write in the chat and we will choose a residence basis and calculate the full cost of moving.