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How to invest

How to invest in Russia: the lawful route

Foreign capital can enter Russia through direct stakes, joint ventures, funds or regulated platforms, subject to jurisdiction checks, approvals in strategic sectors and currency-control rules. The route out - dividends, sale and repatriation - should be planned before entry.

Step by step

Six steps for a foreign investor

  1. 1

    Check your jurisdiction

    Russia distinguishes investors from 'unfriendly' countries, who face special regimes, from everyone else. This defines your route.

  2. 2

    Screen your own rules

    Sanctions and compliance requirements of your country, banks and partners apply in parallel with Russian law.

  3. 3

    Choose the vehicle

    Direct stake, joint venture, fund, holding in a special administrative region or a platform investment.

  4. 4

    Obtain approvals

    Strategic-sector deals (Law 57-FZ) and some transactions by investors from unfriendly countries require government approval.

  5. 5

    Open accounts and pay

    Funds move through Russian banks in roubles or friendly-country currencies. Currency control rules apply.

  6. 6

    Plan the exit

    Dividend payouts, sale of the stake and repatriation are planned before entry - including tax and approval steps.

Taxes

The tax landscape

Profit tax
25%corporate profit tax; 0-5% in special regimesSource: Federal Tax Service, 2025
VAT
22%standard VAT rate since 1 Jan 2026Source: Federal Tax Service, 2026
Special investment contracts
90special investment contracts, ₽2T+ investmentSource: Government of Russia, 2025
Special economic zones
₽4.46Tinvested by 1,300+ residents of special economic zonesSource: Ministry of Economic Development, 2025
Free Port of Vladivostok
2,130projects in the Free Port of VladivostokSource: KRDV, 2026
Arctic Zone
1,000residents of the Arctic Zone, ₽1.1T declaredSource: KRDV, Dec 2025
Special administrative regions
674companies in special administrative regionsSource: Ministry of Economic Development, 2025
Starting a business
3 daysto register a company online, no state feeSource: Federal Tax Service, 2026

Be clear-eyed

Risks and restrictions

Transparency builds trust. These are the constraints every foreign investor should understand.

  • Countermeasures regime

    Since 2022, investors from unfriendly countries face type 'C' accounts, limits on transfers and approval requirements for many deals.

  • Sanctions

    Third-country sanctions can affect payments, banks and counterparties. Independent compliance advice is essential.

  • Strategic sectors

    Control over companies in defence, subsoil, media and other strategic fields is subject to prior approval. Since June 2026 the list also covers fisheries, uranium, lithium, rare earths and groundwater.

  • Exit terms

    As of 2025, sellers from unfriendly countries exiting Russian assets had to apply a discount of at least 60% to the valuation and make a budget contribution of at least 35%. Check the current rules before entry.

  • Land

    Foreigners cannot own agricultural land or land in border territories; long-term lease is the usual route.

  • Currency and liquidity

    Rouble volatility and a high key rate affect valuations and financing costs.

  • Changing rules

    Regulation evolves quickly. Every structure needs a fresh legal check before signing.

Legal questions

Which countries are considered 'unfriendly'?

The list is set by the Russian Government and includes the US, EU member states, the UK, Japan and several others. The special countermeasures regime targets investors from those countries - and may also apply to companies they control, wherever those companies are registered.

Do I need approval to buy a Russian company?

In specific cases: control over strategic companies (Law 57-FZ), many transactions by investors from unfriendly countries, and larger deals that require antitrust clearance. Each transaction should be checked individually.

What is a type 'I' account?

Introduced in 2025, type 'I' investment accounts let foreign investors - including those from unfriendly countries - buy Russian securities, receive dividends and hold deposits, with a simplified regime for repatriating these investments.

How are investments protected?

Russia has bilateral investment treaties with many countries, agreements on protection and promotion of investment under Law 69-FZ, and arbitration. Note that Russian courts may claim exclusive jurisdiction over disputes involving sanctioned parties, so dispute clauses need expert drafting.

Is this legal advice?

No. This page is general information. Every transaction requires advice on the specific facts.

Can a foreigner invest in Russia legally?

Yes. Foreign investors may take direct stakes, form joint ventures, invest through funds or regulated platforms, or hold securities, subject to jurisdiction-based rules, strategic-sector approval and currency control. Investors from countries designated unfriendly face additional account and approval requirements.

What is the first step to invest in Russia?

Establish which jurisdiction rules apply to you, then screen your own country's sanctions and bank compliance requirements. Only after that choose the vehicle and check whether the deal needs government or antitrust approval.

How do I take money out of a Russian investment?

Plan the exit before entry: dividend policy, sale of the stake, tax steps and any approval needed for repatriation. Type 'I' investment accounts provide a simplified regime for eligible foreign holders of Russian securities; eligibility and current rules must be verified.

Is investing in Russia subject to special restrictions?

Yes. Strategic sectors require prior approval under Law 57-FZ, foreigners cannot own agricultural land or land in border areas, and investors from unfriendly countries face type 'C' accounts and deal approvals. Rules change, so independent legal and compliance advice is required.

Guides by asset

Get your route mapped

Legal support is provided by the Institute of Corporate Technologies, which has worked with shareholders and companies since 2008. Tell us about your case.

Talk to our team