A 90-day visa-free start for Russian citizens, rent in Baku from about USD 478 and a simplified tax for sole entrepreneurs: the numbers from 2026 sources and a plan for the first 90 days.
In brief
As of 7 November 2026, Azerbaijan offers an easy start for citizens of Russia and a low-cost base in Baku, with one rule to plan around: Russian citizens can stay 90 days within a calendar year without a permit, and a longer stay needs an extension or a temporary residence permit. The 90-day limit has applied since 1 January 2025 (Cabinet decision No. 561 of 29 December 2024). A central one-bedroom in Baku rents for roughly USD 478 (a Numbeo-based report for the first half of 2025) to about AZN 909, around USD 535 (a June 2026 benchmark), and a single person's monthly budget is quoted at USD 700 to USD 1,071. Sole entrepreneurs not registered for VAT pay a simplified tax of 2 percent of revenue up to AZN 200,000 a year, according to PwC.
What moving to Azerbaijan gives you
- A simple first step. Under the State Migration Service rules, Russian citizens enter without a visa and may stay 90 days within a calendar year. The service runs an electronic calculator that shows how many days you have left, so you can check before you arrive.
- A clear way to extend. If you want to stay longer, you apply for an extension or a temporary residence permit before your current stay ends, in person at the migration desk of an ASAN Service Center or online through the electronic services section.
- Lower rents than many capitals. A Numbeo-based report for the first half of 2025 puts a central one-bedroom in Baku at USD 478, and a June 2026 benchmark at about AZN 909, roughly USD 535 (our conversion at about AZN 1.7 per dollar). Other guides give USD 600 to USD 1,200 for central districts, so treat these as a range.
- A modest monthly budget. Guides quote USD 700 to USD 1,071 a month for a single person, depending on the district and the lifestyle.
- A light tax regime for sole entrepreneurs. PwC describes a simplified tax of 2 percent of revenue for sole entrepreneurs not registered for VAT with turnover up to AZN 200,000 over any 12 months; other guides give 2 to 8 percent or 2 to 4 percent, so the exact rate depends on the activity.
- Relief for remote workers. One news report on a July 2026 package of amendments says remote workers contracted by foreign companies do not create a permanent establishment for their employer, and freelancers and digital nomads can claim tax relief once registered. It is one source, so ask an accountant before you count on it.
What to prepare for
- The 90-day cap. Plan the permit early. What to do: use the State Migration Service calculator, and file for an extension or a temporary residence permit before the stay ends. A person whose stay has not been extended must leave before the deadline. We did not find the permit eligibility criteria or fees.
- Registration. A foreigner staying more than 15 days has to be registered at the place of residence. What to do: ask the landlord or the hotel to handle it, and keep the confirmation.
- Taxes depend on your status. Income tax for individual entrepreneurs is listed at 20 percent in Deloitte's 2025 tables, and a 2026 reform note describes a phased progressive system, so the 2026 position is unclear. What to do: take a tax adviser's view before you register as an entrepreneur. We found nothing on how a foreigner registers.
- Rent varies by district. Central districts such as Nizami and Sabail cost more, and outer ones such as Yasamal and Binagadi cost less, according to guides. What to do: rent for the first months and compare two districts.
- Topics we did not research. Climate, healthcare, language, schools and safety were not part of this search. What to do: read the first 30 days in Azerbaijan and test the practical side during a trial stay.
- No survey rank. We did not find Azerbaijan's place in InterNations Expat Insider 2026, so we do not give one.
Who it suits and who may prefer another country
It suits people who want a low-cost base with a simple first step, such as remote workers and freelancers who register their activity, small entrepreneurs, and people who want to test a move before committing. It may be a weaker fit if you need a long-term status that is fixed in advance, because the permit criteria were not found, or if healthcare and schools are your main criteria, which this search did not cover.
To compare countries, use how to choose a country. To test a move, see a trial year abroad.
Your first 90 days
- Days 1 to 3: check your days with the State Migration Service calculator, and make sure your accommodation is registered if you stay longer than 15 days.
- Weeks 1 and 2: open a bank account where possible (a resident bank account abroad) and set up a local SIM.
- Weeks 3 and 4: sort out health cover (health insurance and doctors after moving abroad).
- Month 2: if you plan to stay past 90 days, file for the extension or the temporary residence permit, and talk to an accountant about your tax position (tax residency when relocating).
- Month 3: review the budget against the USD 700 to USD 1,071 range, then decide. The method is in should you move abroad.
Where a property purchase fits
Rent first and buy only once you know the city. The market for foreign buyers is described in Baku property for foreign buyers and in Azerbaijan property. If you hold crypto, see buying property in Azerbaijan with crypto.
This text is information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm every rule with the State Migration Service or the tax authority.
FAQ
How long can a Russian citizen stay in Azerbaijan without a permit? 90 days within a calendar year, under Cabinet decision No. 561 of 29 December 2024, applied from 1 January 2025. For a longer stay you apply for an extension or a temporary residence permit before the stay ends.
How much does a one-bedroom in Baku cost? A Numbeo-based report for the first half of 2025 gives USD 478 in the centre, a June 2026 benchmark about AZN 909, roughly USD 535, and other guides USD 600 to USD 1,200. The figures differ by source, district and date.
What taxes do sole entrepreneurs pay? PwC describes a simplified tax of 2 percent of revenue up to AZN 200,000 for sole entrepreneurs not registered for VAT; other guides give 2 to 8 percent. Income tax is listed at 20 percent in Deloitte's 2025 tables, and a 2026 reform note describes a different system, so ask an accountant.
Is registration required? A foreigner staying more than 15 days must be registered at the place of residence. The landlord or the hotel can usually handle it.
Should I buy property first? Rent first, then read the purchase guides linked above.