Is it worth moving to Crimea for permanent residence in 2021?

What makes Russians today sell their apartment, car, business, leave a good job and move to Crimea? Of course, the delightful climate of the peninsula, its nature, sea, environmental cleanliness. Moving to Crimea for permanent residence is also a wonderful opportunity to open and develop your own business, because many business niches are not occupied here, and there is no such fierce competition as, for example, in Moscow. But is everything as simple and easy for those who have decided to move to Crimea as it seems? Let’s try to figure it out in this article.

Information about the peninsula

From the south and west, Crimea is washed by the Black Sea, from the east by the Azov Sea. The peninsula is separated from the territory of the Krasnodar Territory by the Kerch Strait. Since May 2021, the Crimean Bridge has been put into operation. Passage through it is permitted for cars, motorcycles and buses. Stopping on the bridge is prohibited. Trucks and trains still need to be transported by ferry for now. With the commissioning of the engineering structure connecting the two banks, there are no queues for the water crossing. From October 2021, the ban on freight transport crossing the bridge will be lifted.

Crimea in the eyes of the world community

From the point of view of international law, the peninsula is considered the territory of Ukraine. On March 27, 2014, UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262 was adopted, according to which Crimea is considered an integral part of this state. However, Russia's position is tough and contrary. It recognizes the legality of the referendum on the status of the peninsula and considers the question of the region’s ownership closed.

With the change in jurisdiction, Crimea, despite the restrictions, is increasingly involved in international life, including economic life. Where is the best place to live in Russia – in a region with a family-friendly climate and job opportunities.

Choosing a place to live

The interior regions of Crimea are at the intersection of steppe and subtropical climates. Coastal cities and towns are the most favorable for living for citizens suffering from diseases of the musculoskeletal, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Where is it better to live in Crimea is a question that should be decided on an individual basis. Residents of the Russian Federation and beyond are eager to move to these warm, sunny coastal regions.

A number of material and bureaucratic difficulties arise on their way. The health status of those wishing to move and the availability of savings should be taken into account. Finding a job immediately upon arrival is difficult. The adaptation period must be taken into account, especially for citizens who move to the peninsula from the northern regions of the country.

Simferopol

The city is the capital of the Republic of Crimea. It attracts Russians due to the relative affordability of housing, especially in older buildings, and employment opportunities. The city is home to enterprises in the energy, engineering, and chemical industries. Simferopol includes a number of adjacent villages with also relatively inexpensive housing prices in the private sector. Is it worth moving to Crimea? You can decide to do this if you have a financial basis or relatives/friends who are ready to help during the adaptation period.

Sevastopol

The city of federal significance is considered the most populated on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula. The mild temperate maritime climate, and in the southern part the subtropical climate, facilitates the relocation of families. Housing prices remain high, especially in new buildings. If you have a technical or working specialty - offshore engineer, welder, mechanic - employment is guaranteed. The hero city of Sevastopol has many attractions: natural, historical and tourist.

Yalta

In a broader sense, the city district of the same name also includes Alupka and a number of coastal villages. It is considered one of the most fashionable resorts on the peninsula with traditionally high housing costs. Winters are mild and rainy, summers are long and hot. The city's economy is focused on tourism and agriculture. The village of Massandra produces dessert and table wines. Vegetable growing, viticulture, tea and tobacco cultivation are developed. Relocation is recommended for citizens with relatively high incomes.

Kerch

The cost of housing is one of the highest on the peninsula. It is advisable to choose an apartment on the secondary market. The unemployment rate is also high. The city has preschool, secondary, and special education institutions and various course centers. Despite the difficulties of employment, it is possible to find work at a switch, shipbuilding plant, or garment factory. The city with its subtropical climate is suitable for citizens suffering from chronic pulmonary diseases and ailments of the musculoskeletal system.

Evpatoria

The city is known for its climate, balneological hospitals, and is considered an ideal place for families with children. Evpatoria is one of the most developed industrial cities of Crimea with high tourism potential. The city has an abundance of boarding houses and convenient beaches. You can consider a shoe factory, textile and agricultural enterprises as employment opportunities. Housing prices are traditionally high. It is advisable to plan your property rental in advance.

Feodosia

This is a climatic and balneological resort on the southeastern coast of the peninsula. There are furniture and ship-mechanical factories. Also, moving here is attractive for specialists in the field of agriculture and textile industry. The city is characterized by high housing prices.

Select city

As a rule, people choose a city to live in advance, before moving to Crimea. They are most often based on reviews of those who moved here earlier, which can be found on forums, on review sites, on the YouTube channel. In them, everyone describes their own version of where it is better to live in Crimea. Let's consider the top 5 cities of Crimea, which, according to the majority, are the most attractive for permanent residence.

1. Simferopol is a place where there are many tourists in all seasons. There are no particular problems with finding a job; housing and land prices are reasonable. There are more medical institutions than in other cities of Crimea. The infrastructure is developing rapidly.
2. Sevastopol. There are many historical monuments here - more than 2000. Beautiful streets and houses, clean and well-groomed parks. There are universities and jobs with a good salary, but you need to look for it. However, housing and land are expensive here, more expensive than in other places in Crimea.
3. Kerch. The city is attractive for those looking for work. There are two seas here - the Black and Azov. Kerch is famous for its fishermen, and there is always plenty of fresh fish. Those who come to Crimea for permanent residence will be pleasantly surprised by the low cost of land and housing compared to other cities of Crimea. It is 220 km from here to Simferopol and the same to Krasnodar. The Tavrida highway is being built in one direction and the Kerch Bridge in the other.
4. Evpatoria attracts with its comfort, a large number of parks and alleys. Along the entire coastline, which is quite extensive, there are many centers for entertainment and recreation. Housing prices are affordable. There are many sanatoriums and health resorts. But in winter the city empties and becomes gray and boring.
5. Yalta. Here is the best climate in Crimea. From any point there is a magnificent view of the sea. But housing in the city is the most expensive, and in the summer there is a huge number of tourists and, accordingly, the associated inconvenience for local residents.

There are good reviews about life in such Crimean cities as Feodosia and Saki. But in any case, it is better not to rely on someone else’s judgments, but to come to Crimea for “reconnaissance” yourself and choose a city to your liking.

Employment in 2021

In this matter, competition with local specialists is inevitable. It is easier to find seasonal employment, even the option of providing housing is not excluded, but most often workers settle in dormitories or hostels, purposefully rented for temporary employees. You can review vacancies on popular job boards or contact the employer directly. It is also convenient to search through the All-Russian vacancy database on the website of the State Employment Service www.trudvsem.ru.

Real estate prices

The cost of residential premises and commercial properties in coastal areas is high and can compete with the capital region. Prices depend on the availability of infrastructure, beaches, picturesque views from the window, and the degree of accessibility of utilities.

The cost of housing in other cities does not differ significantly. Rent depends on the season. If you want to build your own residential building, you need to take into account that in sparsely populated areas of Crimea, the cost of land starts from 70 thousand rubles. Unfortunately, separate housing for displaced people, including those from areas of Ukraine affected by hostilities, is not provided for at the regional and federal levels.

How to choose the right city to move to for permanent residence?

We are forced to admit that if you do not have entrepreneurial talent, then finding a job and making a career is quite difficult. The population is employed in budgetary organizations or in the service sector; significant fluctuations in demand for seasonal work are possible.

Let's take a closer look at the cities of Crimea so that you can decide which one you like:

• The central cities are Simferopol (350,000 population) and Sevastopol (450,000), where there are hypermarkets, universities, and relatively developed infrastructure. Simferopol is located in the center of the peninsula about 60 km from the sea, and Sevastopol is located right on the coast. Young, energetic people are always in demand and will quickly find a job.
• Yevpatoria (120,000) is the administrative center of the western part of the peninsula, an agricultural region with rich farming traditions. A sea with a flat, stable bottom, endless sandy beaches in Zaozernoye, Mirny, Chernomorskoye. A wonderful place for families with children or retirees moving to Crimea.
• Kerch (150,000) - opens the western gate, the city acquired strategic importance after the annexation of the peninsula to Russia, highway interchanges are concentrated here. Not suitable for resort business and living for the purpose of “improving health.”
• The southern coast of Crimea (SC) - the cities of Alushta, Yalta, Feodosia, Sudak with a population of 30,000 to 80,000 people. In Alushta and Yalta, for obvious reasons, housing prices with the same parameters are 15-20% higher than in Crimea. But investments in real estate quickly pay off, and every year the standards of resort services improve. It is better to start living on the South Coast if you have an amount of about 5 million rubles to purchase separate housing. We do not recommend investing in part of a homeownership even in a “prestigious” area; there are uncooperative neighbors and dilapidated, worn-out buildings all around; it will take a long time to get out of here.
• Old Crimea is not just a village in the eastern part, but also a concept that refers to the longest-inhabited area of ​​the peninsula; moving here is possible for supporters of the rural way of life. Vineyards, pastures, a picturesque landscape, limited on one side by the Black Sea coast, and on the other by the Azov coast. Here, Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Greeks and other nations have coexisted in compact villages for centuries.

Note! Price sq.m. housing in cities from 50,000-60,000 rubles, the cost of one hundred square meters of land within the city limits is from half a million rubles. This means a 1-room apartment with an area of ​​40 sq.m. will cost 2.5 million rubles. In all cities there is a lot of old housing stock, but the number of new buildings has noticeably increased, even abandoned properties are “coming to life”. This is especially noticeable in Simferopol, Sevastopol, Evpatoria, and Yalta. Embankments are being reconstructed, new parks and fountains are opening.

Level of education and medicine

Crimea is included in the Russian education system. There are schools and gymnasiums with in-depth study of exact sciences and foreign languages ​​on the peninsula. The Crimean Federal University named after V.I. operates in Simferopol. Vernadsky and other universities. It is not difficult to enroll if you have sufficient Unified State Exam scores (average - 200). There are budget places and opportunities for beneficiaries, including immigrants from Ukraine.

Medicine in Crimea is relatively developed. Outpatient clinics, clinics, and hospitals operate at all levels. It is possible to undergo treatment in specialized institutions - dispensaries, cardiology centers, sanatorium-type hospitals. A network of social institutions and resort-type medical institutions, supplied from the peninsula’s budget, has been developed. In Crimea, there is a compulsory medical insurance policy, under which you can receive free medical care.

How can a foreigner register in Crimea?

Foreign citizens who are allowed visa-free entry into the Russian Federation have the right to stay on Russian territory for 90 days per six months. According to Russian laws, the territory of Crimea is Russian, and all laws of the Russian Federation have the same force here.

Within seven days after arrival, you should contact the Main Department of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at your place of residence and provide copies of your migration card. You can register either at a private address or at a hotel.

Study the requirements and procedures in more detail.

Adviсe

For those wishing to move to Crimea, the following tips are relevant:

It is advisable to first live in Crimea on a temporary basis. In coastal cities there are boarding houses for visitors where you can rent accommodation inexpensively. Renting a separate apartment will be expensive. The minimum cost of one-room housing is on average 20 thousand rubles. per month. You should be careful when using the services of various intermediaries.

Jobs and salaries

Employment issues are of concern to everyone who decides to move to Simferopol in 2021.

We can note that after the completion of the Kerch Bridge, the influx of Russian companies to the peninsula increased - they are creating new jobs.

The greenhouse business and agriculture are also thriving in the city. There is also a good “movement” of small businesses here, and representative offices of large law firms are gradually opening up.

It is easiest to find work in the agricultural and service sectors (after all, this is a tourist city), as well as in the industrial sector. Specialists in specialized industries may have to travel to work in another city, fortunately they can get there within an hour.

Relocation procedure for Russians

There is no centralized procedure for the migration of citizens, including from abroad, to the peninsula. Moving to Crimea for permanent residence from Russia will not be difficult if you have a relatively stable financial situation. The main thing is to assess your financial capabilities. On specialized websites you can familiarize yourself with the proposed housing options, call the owners (landlords) of the premises, and find out all the nuances before visiting the peninsula.

Border crossing procedure

It will not be difficult for a Russian citizen to do this. There are no internal borders between the peninsula and mainland Russia. It is enough to go through inspection near the Crimean Bridge (cars are checked randomly). There is also no need to pay customs and other fees to travel to the peninsula.

If we are talking about foreigners, they need to know in advance how to check the ban on entry into Russia. This can be done on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. To do this, just use the link https://services.fms.gov.ru/info-service.htm?sid=3000 and enter a request. To do this you need to specify:

• FULL NAME.;
• floor;
• date of birth;
• citizenship;
• type of identity document, its number, expiration date.

Next, you should enter the verification code from the picture and send the request. The website states that the information provided is for reference only. To receive an official response, you can contact the territorial department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in person.

Registration

It must be submitted on application. You do not need to take any permission from the authorities. There are no settlements with closed status in Crimea. Registration is carried out in accordance with Government Decree No. 713 dated July 17, 1995 and Ministry of Internal Affairs Order No. 984 dated 21/31/2019. The state fee for “registration” is not paid. Before moving to Crimea, it is advisable to have a clear intention to purchase your own housing with the possibility of permanent registration. This will make it much easier to find a job and place your children in school or kindergarten.

Obtaining a residence permit

Russian citizens do not need to obtain a residence permit. Foreigners receive a residence permit only after obtaining a temporary residence permit (within a quota or on a preferential basis). Minors or incapacitated adult children submit documents together with their parents. At least 6 months must pass from the date of receipt of the temporary residence permit.

Moving to Crimea for permanent residence by foreign citizens

To become a full-fledged resident of Crimea and move to the peninsula for permanent residence you need to have:

• passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• SNILS;
• compulsory health insurance policy.

  
  Sample compulsory medical insurance policy

To be employed you must have:

• work book;
• military ID;
• educational document;
• marriage or divorce certificate - if available;
• driver's and pensioner's licenses.

To register a child in a preschool educational institution or school, you will need to have temporary or permanent registration at the place of actual residence.

Important! If a citizen is on the territory of Crimea with temporary registration, it should be renewed in a timely manner.

In general, migrants can move to permanent residence in Crimea, taking into account certain features caused by the political situation that has developed regarding the territorial affiliation of the peninsula. For foreigners, general rules of stay apply throughout the Russian Federation.

Important! Foreign citizens who moved for permanent residence to the territory of Crimea after 2014 will inevitably encounter difficulties crossing the Russian-Ukrainian border.

Federal Law of August 15, 1996 No. 114-FZ “On the procedure for leaving the Russian Federation and entering the Russian Federation”

Before purchasing a ticket to Crimea, a foreigner needs to find out whether there are any bans on entry into the territory of the Russian Federation. This can be done online on the official website of GUMV. Personal information is entered in a special form and the verification is started.

Enter the required data

Registration

A foreigner is given 7 days to obtain temporary registration for legal stay on the territory of the peninsula. The mark is placed in the international passport or document on the temporary residence permit. A temporary residence permit is valid for 3 years, but you can obtain a residence permit after a year.

This is what the RVP looks like

Registration of a residence permit

Participants in the state program for the resettlement of compatriots are additionally required to confirm the financial ability to maintain and have housing. A residence permit gives the right to reside in the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as to take part in local elections. After 5 years, you can think about obtaining citizenship or renewing your residence permit.

This is what a residence permit looks like in Russia

Not all residents of the peninsula accepted the new order and Russian citizenship. Current legislation defines such persons as foreigners who are required to obtain a temporary residence permit.

There is an alternative option - to live in Crimea for 90 days, after which to travel to the territory of Ukraine and then return after 3 months. For Ukrainians, the temporary residence permit is not extended. The residence permit is issued for 5 years without the right of extension. The final stage is only obtaining citizenship.

Procedure for residents of Ukraine

There is no ban on visiting the Crimean peninsula by citizens of this state. But to enter you need to take a special permit from the Ukrainian authorities. Residents of the DPR and LPR can obtain refugee status with the possibility of obtaining benefits and benefits, including employment and admission to universities on the peninsula.

Other citizens of Ukraine have the right to count on obtaining temporary residence permits and temporary residence permits in the general manner. Initially, they must communicate the purpose of coming to the peninsula. They do not need to purchase visas to enter Crimea. Crossing the border (from Ukraine) by citizens of this country is possible with an internal passport.

Summing up

After the referendum and reunification with Russia, the status of Crimea in the understanding of compatriots and foreign citizens increased significantly. This is confirmed by the following signs: increased housing prices, endless queues at migration departments, and the number of court cases aimed at resolving citizenship issues. The problems of the transition period will gradually pass, and sunny weather, even in winter, will remain. So feel free to come for permanent residence in Crimea!

Makarova Natalya Nikolaevna

Lawyer at the Legal Defense Board. He specializes in administrative and civil cases, compensation for damages from insurance companies, consumer protection, as well as cases related to the illegal demolition of shells and garages.

Is it possible for residents of Crimea to travel to Europe?

There is no discrimination against residents of the peninsula in terms of traveling abroad. There is also no ban on visiting European countries. The problem is the lack of diplomatic and consular institutions on the peninsula. There are numerous private passport and visa centers in Sevastopol and other cities (Allianz Visa, Exchange, etc.), but the cost of their services is quite high.

The procedure for traveling to Europe depends on the agreements of a particular country with Russia. Residents of Crimea can visit EU countries by applying for a Schengen visa. There are no direct flights from Simferopol to Europe. You will have to get there with transfers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Mineralnye Vody (flight to Thessaloniki), Krasnodar (flight to Barcelona, ​​Prague).

Reviews from those who moved

The majority of citizens have a positive attitude towards the new life in Crimea. They are attracted by the favorable climate, the proximity of the sea even from the interior of the peninsula. By car you can get to the coast in an hour and a half. Reviews about moving to Crimea for permanent residence in 2019-2020. contain the following features:

1. Housing prices continue to remain high.
2. Seasonal unemployment. Many leave to work in other cities of Russia.
3. Favorable climate, flowering vegetation, abundance of inexpensive fruits and vegetables. Low prices for housing and communal services and public transport.

Reviews from those who moved to Crimea for permanent residence also contain information about the significant cost of coastal land plots for individual housing construction, the absence of large enterprises and banks on the peninsula due to fear of increased pressure from international structures. In general, life here is assessed positively. Citizens who arrived in Crimea from the northern regions of the country are especially pleased.

Military retirees, people with stable passive income, and people who want to radically change their lives prefer to settle here. Real estate in Crimea can serve as a source of income - it is profitable to rent out purchased properties. Before moving, you should weigh the pros and cons; you need to be prepared to leave your comfort zone and face the difficulties that are inevitable when changing your place of residence.

Purchasing real estate: how not to make a mistake

After Crimea became part of the Russian Federation, many residents of the continental part of the country wanted to purchase real estate in the warm resort region. But there are many risks and pitfalls when buying Crimean real estate. After the referendum, Ukraine blocked access to the Ukrainian State Register, and therefore it became impossible to check the real estate of Crimea for encumbrances, arrests, and ownership of one or another person. People began to doubt whether it was worth moving to Crimea for permanent residence in conditions where it is unsafe to buy real estate.

Fraudsters falsify title documents and sell real estate to multiple buyers. To avoid such a trap, you should check the apartment or land you are buying in Crimea according to the Ukrainian and Russian registers. True, to check the first one, you should leave Crimea to the territory of Ukraine bordering it. Another type of fraud is fake powers of attorney. It’s better not to buy real estate in Crimea by proxy at all, and if you really like the apartment, you should check it using the Ukrainian registry.

But the problem is being solved, criminals are being tracked, and people are increasingly purchasing apartments and land in Crimea. If we talk about apartments, there is old and new housing stock on the peninsula. After joining Russia, new houses are actively being built in Crimea, and housing for displaced people is being built.

It is more rational and cheaper to buy an open-plan apartment in a new building in Crimea. For an apartment with an area of ​​51 m2, the buyer will pay 2.9 million rubles, while for a Khrushchev apartment of 31 m2, no less than 3.6 million rubles. In the central part of Crimea, real estate is noticeably cheaper, as well as in the north of the peninsula. The most expensive plots are located on the southern coast of Crimea. The area there is mountainous and there is little land. But it is still better to buy expensive land in resort cities for those who want to open a business there. The price range is as follows:

In the northern part of Crimea, those moving for permanent residence can buy land at a price of $1,000 per hundred square meters. It is very important to buy privatized land plots. Important: transactions on those land plots of Crimea that are sold according to the membership book of gardening partnerships do not have legal force.