Armenia (AM)
Affordable Caucasus base with a fast-growing tech scene, rich culture, straightforward residency options, low flat income tax, strong diaspora links and increasingly international Yerevan.
Leaving Armenia
How to properly exit — protecting your finances, rights and records.
📅 General Timeline
8–12 weeks before: Confirm IE/company formal closure with SRC if applicable; review funded pension position with CDA/pension fund; notify employer; begin school transcript process. 4–6 weeks before: Serve written rental notice per your contract terms; contact SRC/tax adviser on final declarations; arrange shipping/storage; discuss bank account non-resident conversion. 2–4 weeks before: Cancel or schedule final readings for electricity, gas, water and internet; collect medical records; update bank KYC with foreign address. Final week: Apartment walk-through and handover; photograph all rooms; settle all utility accounts; retain Armenian SIM for bank OTP access after departure.
Deregistration
Armenia has no formal mandatory address deregistration for departing foreigners. Key steps: (1) State Migration Service (SARMS) — if you held a residence permit (temporary or permanent), notify SARMS (migration.gov.am) of your departure; your permit will lapse if you remain outside Armenia beyond its validity period. (2) SRC (State Revenue Committee, src.am) — if you had an individual entrepreneur (IE) or company registration, formally close or deactivate it before leaving to avoid continued filing obligations. (3) Social Security — notify the relevant social security authority if you contributed to state social or pension schemes. (4) Employer — obtain final payslip, termination agreement (if applicable), and confirmation of employment period. (5) Update school, bank, insurer, vehicle registration and utility accounts. No formal departure confirmation document is issued.
Tax clearance
The State Revenue Committee (SRC, src.am) is the Armenian tax authority. Personal income tax (PIT) rate: 20% flat. If you were employed, your employer handled PAYE withholding — obtain a final withholding confirmation from HR. If you operated as an Individual Entrepreneur (IE): file final declarations, close VAT registration if applicable, settle any outstanding tax liabilities, and request SRC confirmation of tax clearance. Armenia has no exit tax on unrealised capital gains or deemed disposal on departure. After losing Armenian tax residency (below 183 days in a calendar year), only Armenian-source income is taxable in Armenia. Armenia has bilateral double-tax treaties with approximately 51 countries (including most EU states, Canada, Australia, UAE, China, Japan, and the US) — check the treaty with your destination country for relief from double taxation. Retain SRC online access and Armenian SIM for post-departure filing if needed.
Pension portability
Armenia operates a dual pension system. (1) State social pension: funded through obligatory social contributions (withheld by employer); this portion is generally not individually portable but may benefit from bilateral social security agreements. (2) Funded pension (for employees born 1974 or later): managed by licensed pension funds through the Central Depositary of Armenia (cda.am); employee contributes 2.5% of salary, employer adds 7.5%. On permanent departure, contact your pension fund (Amperia, ACBA Pensions, etc.) and CDA to understand portability and withdrawal options — rules around early withdrawal before retirement age are restrictive. If you were born before 1974, you are covered only by the pay-as-you-go state pension and funded pension deductions do not apply. Armenia has bilateral social security agreements with CIS countries (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc.) and some others — verify with your home country authority. Source: cda.am; src.am; PwC Armenia 2026.
Health insurance
Armenia does not have a universal mandatory health insurance system for all employees. Most expats rely on employer-sponsored private insurance or international policies. Confirm your policy end date with HR or your insurer. Do not cancel any policy until confirmed replacement coverage in your destination country is active. Collect complete medical records, prescription history, vaccination records and specialist letters from Erebouni, Nairi, or Muratsan hospitals — or whichever facility you used — before departing; remote access is unlikely.
Bank account
Major Armenian banks (Ameriabank, Ardshinbank, Acba Bank, HSBC Armenia) are experienced in serving both residents and non-residents; many allow non-resident accounts with updated KYC and foreign address documentation. Arrange this conversion with your bank before leaving. Keep the account open until: final salary, provident fund payouts, deposit returns and utility credit balances have cleared. Retain an Armenian SIM or an alternative method for bank OTP authentication after departure — Armenian banks rely on local mobile numbers for SMS verification. Wise (wise.com) is effective for converting AMD to other currencies from an overseas account.
Utilities
Electricity (Electric Networks of Armenia/Veolia): visit the service office or use online account to request final meter reading and account closure. Gas (ArmRosGazprom): submit gas-contract cancellation at a service centre; settle outstanding bills. Water (Veolia Water Armenia or regional provider): notify and settle. Internet/broadband (Ucom, Team Telecom Armenia, Beeline Armenia): typically 30-day written cancellation notice. Mobile SIM: retain one SIM for bank OTP while accounts remain open. Photograph all meters on handover day.
Rental contract
Armenia has no single codified residential tenancy statute with standardised notice periods — rental terms are governed by your specific lease agreement. Standard practice in Yerevan is 1–2 months written notice from the tenant. Serve notice in writing (email is generally accepted; keep a copy). Walk through the property with the landlord on the final day and document condition with photographs — Armenian landlord-tenant disputes over deposits are common without written evidence. There is no statutory deposit protection scheme; deposit return timeline is governed by your lease and negotiation.
Leaving the Country
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