Property in Russia gives people the chance to live in Europe’s entry into the BRIC nations – Brazil, Russia, India and China – which are continuing to make waves on the global stage, with many economists predicting the four to become dominant forces in the markets of the future. In the case of Russia, widespread privatisation in the 1990s has transformed the economic landscape.

Russia is also by far the largest single country in the world, at almost twice the surface area of its closest rival, Canada. Russia has over 17 million sq km of land to choose from, compared with Canada’s less than ten million, closely followed by the US and China.

Buying property in Russia

The geography of Russia varies depending on which part of the country you are in. To the west, where Russia’s links with Europe are more clearly defined, low hills and broad plains set the scene. To the east, mountains form the southern border while the Siberian tundra awaits to the north.

Wherever you choose to buy property in Russia, be prepared to deal with the language barrier. If you are moving there because you want to put your language skills to the test, still consider appointing an English-speaking local to help you through the property transaction. There are likely to be legal terms involved that would not come up in conversational Russian.

As always, the Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP) can help to find a well-respected individual or organisation familiar with the local market. The AIPP lists a number of companies located within the UK but experienced in dealing with property in the Russian Federation.

You may find a house relatively difficult to find for sale, with many Russian families owning theirs outright and seeing no reason to sell. Apartments often prove popular with expats and could be easier to find specifically designed to cater to the needs of new arrivals in the country – this is particularly the case in the larger cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg, with apartments accounting for the majority of property in the latter of the two.

Life in Russia as a British expatriate

There are some admin processes to observe before moving to property in Russia. The country operates strict rules on visas, so make sure all your paperwork is organised before you leave the UK. You will also be asked to fill in a migration card, which is in two parts, both of which are the same. One part is kept by officials, while you must keep your half with your passport – you may be asked to produce both at any time during your stay in Russia. You should also be sure you have more than six months left on your UK passport, to avoid being denied entry into Russia.

If you have any children while living in Russia, they may need their own separate passport in order to leave the country. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) reports some cases where children have not been added to passports renewed by their parents until their status as a Russian citizen could be confirmed.

Property in Russia’s cities

While Russia’s climate may dissuade some people from living in remoter regions of the country, property in Russia’s cities could provide a greater level of confidence. The FCO notes that most visitors in 2009 experienced a trouble-free stay in the country, despite almost a quarter of a million Britons spending time there over the course of the year.

The exact decision of whether to choose one city or another – or whether to head to a more rural area – may depend on local infrastructure, the road network and any political disruption taking place. Travel advice from the FCO can help to make you aware of the parts of the country that should be avoided and those which might best suit the needs of expats.