Facts checked against official sources on 28 October 2026. Where no official rule exists, we say so. Rules change — confirm with your university, employer or the authority linked in each section.
«Ambulance (103 or 112) and emergency care are free for foreigners. Everything else is paid or covered by DMS. Some medicines sold freely at home are prescription-only here. If you bring your own, bring the prescription with a translation.»
— Vlad Lario
Seeing a doctor
Moscow state clinics (EMIAS, mos.ru) and Gosuslugi bookings work only with an OMS policy and registration at a clinic. Without OMS: use your university clinic or the clinics listed in your DMS policy (call your insurer), or a paid clinic; booking sites such as ProDoctorov and SberHealth list them (for reference only).
Official sources: EMIAS · FAQ
Emergencies: 103 and 112
Call 103 for an ambulance or 112 for all emergency services — free, 24/7. Emergency care when life is at risk and ambulance care in state and municipal clinics are free for foreigners. Urgent and planned care is paid, covered by DMS, or by OMS if you have it (Government Decree No. 631 of 8 May 2025, in force since 1 September 2025).
Official sources: Government Decree No. 631 · EMERCOM · 112 system
Migrant medical check: now 30 days
Since 1 September 2026 it must be done within 30 calendar days of entry (previously 90). It applies to people staying more than 90 days and to workers. Tests: drugs and psychoactive substances, tuberculosis, leprosy, syphilis, HIV. The certificate is electronic (EGISZ), sent to the MVD and Rospotrebnadzor, valid for one year and repeated yearly. Fingerprinting and photo are done once.
Moscow example (MAI, for students): Bolshaya Bronnaya St, 3; workers go to the Sakharovo migration centre. Whether EAEU citizens are exempt is not confirmed.
Official sources: ConsultantPlus · medical check in 30 days · HSE University · medical check · MAI · medical check
Pharmacies and bringing medicines
Whether a drug needs a prescription is stated in its leaflet and the state register (GRLS); prescriptions follow Health Ministry Order No. 1094n. For personal use, ordinary medicines can be brought in without a declaration. Medicines containing narcotic, psychotropic or potent substances must be declared, with a prescription stating the name and quantity for your stay, in Russian or with a notarised translation.
Official sources: Ministry of Health Order No. 1094n · State Register of Medicines (GRLS) · Customs · medicines for personal use
Mental-health support
Moscow: MSPPN psychological help, 051 from a landline or 8-495-051 from a mobile, 24/7 — consultations in foreign languages are not officially advertised. SPbU runs a psychological service for its students; helpline 8-800-550-01-22. We could not confirm any service in English, French or Portuguese — ask your university’s international office.
Official sources: Moscow psychological help service (MSPPN) · SPbU · psychological service
Toothache and other urgent cases without OMS
Care is free only when life is at risk (Decree No. 631). Acute toothache counts as urgent, not emergency, care: it is paid or covered by DMS (RESO’s student plan includes emergency dentistry). Otherwise, go to a paid clinic.
Official sources: Government Decree No. 631 · RESO-Garantia · DMS-Students
Common questions from foreign students
What is the deadline for the migrant medical check?
30 calendar days from entry for everyone staying more than 90 days, students included (since 1 September 2026).
Is the ambulance free?
Yes: 103 or 112, and emergency care when life is at risk.
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Written by Vlad Lario
Russian in Lisbon. I read both sides and write down what differs.
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