Kazakhstan (KZ)
Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country by area and the largest landlocked nation — a vast Central Asian republic stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains, encompassing endless steppes, dramatic canyons, and the remnants of the ancient Silk Road.
Capital: Astana
Region: Asia
Language: Kazakh
Currency: KZT (₸)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 35)
Emergency: 112
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Professional Services
Finding lawyers, accountants, doctors and other professionals in Kazakhstan.
Verify professional credentials before engaging any service provider — check the Bar Association register for lawyers, the Chamber of Auditors for accountants, and AFSA registration for financial advisors. Most reputable firms in Kazakhstan have English-speaking staff for expat clients. Get fee quotes in writing before engaging. For notarial and translation services, compare prices — rates vary significantly between providers. The Almaty Expats and Astana Expats Facebook groups have community recommendations updated regularly.
Language options: Most professional services in Kazakhstan operate primarily in Russian and Kazakh. International law firms (Dentons, Baker McKenzie, GRATA), Big 4 accounting firms, and relocation specialists serving the expat community offer English-language services. For notarial work and standard government interactions, Russian is required — most firms include translation as part of their service for an additional fee. In the AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre), English is the working language and all proceedings, contracts, and documentation are in English.
Legal Services
₸1,000–5,000 per notarial certification. ₸2,000–8,000 per page for notarised translation. ₸10,000–30,000 for IIN/immigration assistance. ₸80,000–250,000 for residence permit application assistance. ₸100,000–300,000 for property purchase legal review. How to find: Use established law firms for serious matters (property, employment contracts, immigration, business disputes). For standard notarial work, notaries (нотариус) are plentiful and affordable throughout Almaty and Astana. AIFC-registered practitioners operate under English common law for AIFC matters. Find licensed advocates via the National Bar Association of Kazakhstan (advokatura.kz) or ask in expat community groups.
GRATA International — top-tier Kazakhstan law firm, English-speaking, oil and gas and corporate specialist (gratanet.com)Dentons Kazakhstan — international firm, AIFC matters and corporateBaker McKenzie Kazakhstan — international contracts, labour law, taxPwC Kazakhstan Legal — tax and corporate advisory
💡 Always use a licensed notary (нотариус) for official document certification — notarised documents are required for most government processes. For immigration and visa matters, use a specialist immigration law firm rather than a general practitioner. The National Bar Association of Kazakhstan (advokatura.kz) publishes a register of licensed advocates.
Accounting and Tax Services
₸25,000–80,000/month for full accounting of a small ТОО. ₸20,000–60,000 for annual individual tax declaration (Form 240.00). ₸5,000–15,000/quarter for ИП simplified declaration (Form 910.00). ₸10,000–25,000 for one-time EDS setup for ИП. How to find: Accounting and bookkeeping services are widely available and affordable. Most ТОО businesses use external accounting services (аутсорсинг бухгалтерии). The State Revenue Committee's (КГД) e-services portal (cabinet.salyk.kz) is used for all tax filings. Individual expats generally need accounting services for ИП tax declarations or complex foreign income situations. Find accountants via referrals in the Almaty/Astana Expats Facebook groups.
Deloitte Kazakhstan (deloitte.com/kz) — tax advisory, transfer pricing, international complianceKPMG Kazakhstan — corporate tax, individual expat tax advisoryEY Kazakhstan — tax and financial advisoryPwC Kazakhstan — tax, audit, advisory
💡 Expats with foreign income (rental income, investments, salary from abroad) must file an individual tax declaration (Form 240.00) by 31 March each year. Failure to declare foreign income is a compliance risk. For UAPF pension withdrawal on leaving Kazakhstan, consult a tax advisor to understand the 10% withholding and any double taxation treaty relief.
Relocation Services
$2,000–5,000 USD for full relocation package (housing + IIN + registration). ₸20,000–50,000 for airport pickup and hotel/apartment escort. 1 month's rent for apartment search and lease negotiation. ₸50,000–150,000 for school search and enrollment assistance for families. How to find: Relocation services are particularly valuable in Kazakhstan given the bureaucratic complexity of IIN registration, migration registration, housing search, and work permit coordination. Several firms specialise in expat relocation to Almaty and Astana, particularly for oil and gas industry arrivals. Find via company HR departments or through BritCham and AmCham Kazakhstan member listings.
💡 Negotiate a relocation package with your employer before arrival — IIN registration, housing, and school enrollment are best handled by a specialist who knows the bureaucratic processes. Ask for a named relocation consultant with experience in Kazakhstan specifically (not just general international relocation).
Financial Advisory
₸50,000–200,000 for initial financial planning consultation. Ongoing advisory: fee-based (₸30,000–100,000/month) or percentage of AUM (0.5–1.5%/year). International firms charge international rates. How to find: Independent financial advisors specialising in expat matters are emerging in Kazakhstan. The AIFC's regulatory framework (overseen by AFSA — Astana Financial Services Authority) covers investment management and financial advice for AIFC-registered entities. For personal financial planning, some international advisory firms operate in Almaty. Find via AIFC member directory or international firm offices.
Deloitte Kazakhstan Private Client AdvisoryKPMG Kazakhstan Personal Tax and WealthAIFC-registered investment advisors (aifc.kz/en/market-participants)
💡 For tax treaty analysis, offshore compliance, or pension planning for expats, use international firms with Kazakhstan presence. Verify that any financial advisor is AFSA-registered if they are providing investment advice — this protects you under AIFC regulation.
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