This guide was written prior to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and is therefore not reflective of the current situation. Travel to Russia is currently not advisable due to the area's volatile political situation.

Expats doing business in Russia will find themselves in a unique environment. The local business culture is strongly influenced by Russia's political past, but international influences are also present in the country’s large financial centres like Moscow and St Petersburg, which are home to numerous international companies and corporations.

Fast facts

Business hours

Office hours in Russia are generally from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Business language

Russian is the official language, but English is often spoken by younger business people in the main city centres. The option of hiring a translator is always available. 

Dress

Business attire is formal and conservative, dark suits for men and suits or skirts and blouses for women. 

Gifts

Russians enjoy giving and receiving gifts, but this is not a mandatory or an expected act. Appropriate gifts if invited to a Russian's house include sweets, wine or liquor.

Gender equality

Men and women in Russia are equal in theory, but not in practice. Women remain inferior to men in the Russian business world. Though foreign businesswomen will be treated with old-world courtesy, they will generally not be respected as key leaders. It is rare to find women in senior management positions in Russia.

Business culture in Russia

To understand business culture in Russia, expats must have some knowledge of the country’s political past. This framework will provide some insight into why modern Russian businessmen seem to tend to respect informal rules, rather than formal laws and authoritative bodies and structures. Similarly, it will explain why relationship building is paramount to successfully conducting business in Russia.

The state’s formerly untrustworthy nature has motivated a current culture in which close personal relationships and allegiances take primary importance. Expats should be mindful of this and devote an appropriate amount of time to befriending the right people through face-to-face interaction.

Business hierarchy

Russian business hierarchy tends to unfold around a strong, central figure. This figure retains nearly absolute decision-making power. Some consideration is given to the views and inputs of specific middle managers but, for the most part, it is necessary to ‘go straight to the top’ to accomplish anything.

More is achieved in small formal meetings with this central individual, rather than in larger meetings. The purpose of the group meetings is usually to disseminate information, and not to discuss issues, negotiate or generate ideas. Subordinate employees in Russia generally take specific and precise orders from their seniors without expecting much feedback.

Communication

Expats should always address their colleagues and their counterparts with a great deal of respect. Some people may only introduce themselves with their surnames, but it is always courteous to address businessmen as ‘Gaspadin’ and businesswomen as ‘Gaspadja’ followed by their surname.

While humour can be an acceptable way to diffuse a tense business situation, it is not given the same credence as in Western cultures and should be used sparingly.

Greeting

A firm handshake and direct eye contact should be maintained when greeting Russian associates. Hugs are common between good friends and family. A handshake is generally exchanged with female associates, but sometimes a slight nod of the head will suffice. If unsure, wait for a female coworker to extend her hand first. 

Dos and don’ts of business in Russia

  • Do print business cards in Russian on one side and English on the other. 
  • Do respect silences. Russians often take time to think before they answer questions.
  • Do be punctual, and don’t take offence if Russian counterparts are not as timely.
  • Don't give too many concessions when it comes to negotiations. Caving in is a sign of weakness in local business culture. 
  • Don’t spend too much time negotiating with junior and middle managers. Decision-making power tends to lie with a single individual who rarely entertains the input of others.
  • Don’t assume that people will speak English. 

Further reading

►For more on finding a job, see Working in Russia. 

Expat Experiences

"It’s great if you are a linguist. If you aren’t, just learn enough Russian to navigate the supermarket and you’ll be fine. Simply learning the Cyrillic alphabet is a very useful start. Do your job quickly, effectively and reliably and your business partners will reward you. Russian business dealings can be quite emotional, so don’t take that too seriously." Read about Stephen's experience living and working in Russia. 

Are you an expat living in Russia?

Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Russia. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.

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