In simple terms
The EAEU (ЕАЭС, EAES) is the Eurasian Economic Union. Its members are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The 2014 EAEU Treaty created a common labour market: citizens of these countries work in Russia almost like Russians.
The main difference from citizens of other countries (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and so on):
- no work patent and no work permit is needed;
- no Russian language exam is needed for work;
- personal income tax (НДФЛ, NDFL) is 13% from the first day, as for tax residents;
- the worker and their family get an OMS health insurance policy;
- diplomas are recognised without special procedures (except in medicine, teaching, law and pharmacy).
What you still need
- An employment or civil-law contract. While it is valid, you can stay in Russia for its whole term, not just 90 days.
- Migration registration within 30 days after entry (90 days for citizens of Belarus).
- Fingerprinting and a medical examination within 30 days after entry for work. Citizens of Belarus are exempt.
- Notice to the MVD about the hire, which the employer files within 3 working days.
- SNILS and TIN (ИНН, INN) for salary, taxes and Gosuslugi (Госуслуги).
If there is no contract, an EAEU citizen is in Russia under the general rules, for no more than 90 days in a calendar year (except citizens of Belarus).
Example: take-home pay
The salary under the contract is 70,000 ₽ a month.
- A citizen of Kazakhstan (EAEU). 13% personal income tax from the first month: 70,000 × 13% = 9,100 ₽. Take-home pay: 70,000 − 9,100 = 60,900 ₽.
- A foreigner not from the EAEU, without a patent and without resident status (for example, on a work permit in the first months). The rate is usually 30%: 70,000 × 30% = 21,000 ₽. Take-home pay: 49,000 ₽.
The difference is 11,900 ₽ a month. You can calculate your own salary in the income tax calculator.
Calculate it yourself
Change the numbers and the step-by-step calculation updates instantly. Russian rules for 2026.
Common mistakes
- Working without a contract. EAEU rights apply when you have a contract. Without one you may break the period of stay.
- Skipping fingerprinting. Many think EAEU citizens need nothing. But for citizens of Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan the procedures are mandatory.
- Working after the contract has ended. After dismissal, the period of stay is counted under the general rules again; there are usually 15 days to find a new employer.
- Restrictions by profession. Some positions (for example, in the civil service) are closed to foreigners, including those from the EAEU.
The rules change, so check the MVD website and Gosuslugi.
Key rules
Russia
The rights are set out in Arts. 97–98 of the EAEU Treaty. EAEU citizens can register for migration registration within 30 days, and citizens of Belarus within 90 days. Citizens of Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan go through fingerprinting and a medical examination when working; citizens of Belarus are exempt. The rules change, so check the MVD website and Gosuslugi (Госуслуги).
Sources: Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union («Договор о Евразийском экономическом союзе»), ConsultantPlus, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia («МВД России», мвд.рф): migration services, Federal Law No. 115-FZ «О правовом положении иностранных граждан» (On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens), ConsultantPlus