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.
«Before you pay a deposit, ask the owner whether they will register you for migration. If not, look for another place. From November 2026 the fine for a foreigner in Moscow and St Petersburg is up to 9,000 ₽, up to expulsion. And no prepayment via a link from a chat: that is the most common scam.»
— Vlad Lario
Where to search
The largest listing sites are Cian, Avito Real Estate, Yandex Real Estate and Domclick. Students should ask about a university dormitory first.
Official sources: Cian · Avito Real Estate · Yandex Real Estate · Domclick
Dormitory or rental?
Dorm places are allocated under each university’s internal rules, so ask your university. Since 1 September 2026 a standard procedure applies: the university publishes how many places it has for non-local and foreign students, with at least 6 m² per person, and the applicant confirms they have no housing or registration in that city.
Official sources: Ministry of Science and Higher Education · FAQ · Kodeks · dormitory rules from 1 Sep 2026
Documents and the lease
No law bans foreigners from renting. Landlords usually ask for a passport, migration card and visa or other proof of legal stay — this list is common practice, not an official rule. The law does not require a notarised passport translation.
A residential lease must be in writing (Civil Code, art. 674). Deposit, agent fee and utilities are not fixed by law — they are whatever the contract says. Before signing, check the owner against an EGRN property extract, get written agreement to register you, and agree the deposit and how it is returned.
Official sources: Civil Code, art. 674
Migration registration: who files it
Your host must file the notice of arrival within 7 working days (Law 109-FZ). The host can be a Russian-citizen owner, a Russian citizen or residence-permit holder registered in the flat, or an organisation; in a dorm it is the university. It cannot be filed by power of attorney. Filing is possible via Gosuslugi, an MFC centre or the MVD. Fines exist for both the host and the foreigner and were being raised in November 2026 — check the current amounts with the MVD.
If the owner refuses to register you: we found no official procedure. In practice, do not rent without written consent to registration; registration at your university’s or employer’s address is possible only if that organisation agrees to be your host. (Not confirmed by an official source.)
Official sources: Federal Law 109-FZ · Gosuslugi · migration registration
What rent costs in 2026
Cian, August 2026, one-room flat, long-term: Moscow averaged 69,200 ₽ a month; near universities about 24% more (MSU 96,800; Bauman 83,300; MGIMO/RUDN 69,100; MEPhI 60,200). St Petersburg averaged 44,600 ₽, about 45% more near universities. At the end of October 2026 Cian put St Petersburg at 43,500 ₽.
Official sources: Cian · rents near universities · Vedomosti St Petersburg · Cian data
The prepayment scam
The pattern police warn about: a listing → a “booking” → a link to a fake payment page → a “glitch” and a request to pay again. Police advice: do not pay before you have confirmed the flat, do not open links from strangers, and check both the listing and the sender.
Official sources: Police (MVD) warning, via NewsInfo
Common questions from foreign students
Who registers me if I rent a flat?
The owner (a Russian citizen), a person with a residence permit registered there, or an organisation — within 7 working days. Not by power of attorney.
Is the dorm registration done for me?
Yes, the university is the host: hand your passport to the international office on your first working day.
How did this land?
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Written by Vlad Lario
Russian in Lisbon. I read both sides and write down what differs.
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