The world's largest country, spanning Europe and Asia, with deep cultural institutions, large cities, strong public transport, complex bureaucracy, sanctions-affected banking, strict migration registration, and a demanding but sometimes affordable expat experience.
Wills, intestacy, inheritance tax, and cross-border estate planning for expats.
Russian succession is civil-law based, notarial and forced-share aware. Cross-border families should plan with Russian and home-country counsel.
Intestacy follows statutory heir queues, with spouse, children and parents in the first order. Unmarried partners have weak/no automatic rights.
Will made with a Russian notary; strongest local format.
Valid if formalities met
Best for Russian assets.
Sealed will deposited with notary under strict formalities.
Formalities are strict
Rare for expats.
May need recognition, translation and conflict-of-law review.
Depends on law and formalities
Do not assume it handles Russian real estate smoothly.
Mandatory shares protect certain dependants, disabled heirs and minors even against a will.
EU Succession Regulation does not bind Russia, but EU assets in the estate may be affected separately.
Russia generally has no separate inheritance tax for close inheritance, but notary fees, registration costs and later income/capital gains issues can apply.
| Relationship | Tax-Free Allowance | Tax Rate (above allowance) |
|---|---|---|
| Close relatives | No classic inheritance tax allowance system | Generally no inheritance tax; fees apply |
| Other heirs | No classic inheritance tax allowance system | Generally no inheritance tax; fees and special income rules can apply |
Tax treatment of inherited income, foreign assets and later sale requires advice.
Use coordinated wills, translations, apostilles/legalisation, bank-access planning and sanctions-aware executor choices.
Russian notary issues inheritance certificates, often after a six-month acceptance period.
Russian notarial system records notarial wills; foreign wills must be surfaced by heirs/executors.
Advance medical directives and powers of attorney should be reviewed locally; practical recognition may differ from home country.
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