Thousands of people have chosen to move to Armenia since 2022: IT teams, freelancers, founders, families and diaspora Armenians returning to their roots. Yerevan offers a relaxed pace of life, a lively café and tech scene, low crime, good food, and one of the easiest company registration processes in the region.
This guide is written by the lawyers and accountants of Team2B, a Yerevan firm with 15+ years of experience and 2,000+ businesses served. It covers everything you need for a legal, well-planned relocation to Armenia in 2026: entry, residence, work, taxes, banking, housing and cost of living. Each section links to a more detailed page.
Who can move to Armenia, and do you need a visa?
Armenia is one of the most open countries in the region for foreigners. Here is how entry works for the main groups we help:
| Citizenship | Visa needed? | Visa-free stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and many others | No | Up to 180 days per year | Check the official MFA list |
| Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (EAEU) | No | Officially up to 180 days per year | Russians can enter by air on an internal passport |
| Nationals of 111 countries holding a US, EU, Schengen or Gulf residence permit | No (temporary rule) | Per waiver terms | Valid from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027 |
| Other countries | Usually e-visa or consular visa | Per visa | Check mfa.am |
The 111-country visa waiver may be relevant if you are a national of a country that normally needs a visa for Armenia but you live in the US, EU, Schengen area or Gulf states. If you hold a valid residence permit there, you can enter Armenia visa-free between 1 July 2026 and 1 July 2027. Always confirm your country on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list before booking.
A note for Russian citizens. In practice, the 180-day count has often been applied per entry, and some people “reset” it with border runs. This is a legal grey zone and we do not recommend relying on it. Overstaying can lead to a fine of around 50,000 AMD (up to 100,000 AMD) and a possible entry ban. Russians can also stay longer by registering their address under the 1997 Russia–Armenia treaty (the stamp goes into the international passport), but a residence permit is the cleaner long-term solution.
What are the options for living in Armenia long term?
There are four legal statuses that matter for a long-term move to Armenia:
- Visa-free stay — up to 180 days per year. Good for a trial period.
- Temporary residence permit — up to 1 year. The main tool for relocation. See our Armenia residence permit guide.
- Permanent residence — 5 years, for people with family ties, Armenian origin, a business track record or investment.
- Citizenship — after 3 years of legal residence, or directly for ethnic Armenians. See Armenian citizenship.
What changes on 1 November 2026?
This is the most important update for anyone planning a relocation to Armenia this year. Amendments to the Law on Foreigners (HO-11-N of 20 January 2026, amended in May 2026) take effect on 1 November 2026. The start date was postponed from 1 August. Applications filed before 1 November are decided under the old rules.
| Topic | Until 31 October 2026 | From 1 November 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary residence duty | 105,000 AMD (US citizens 85,000) | 155,950 AMD (150,000 duty + 5,950 card) |
| Permanent residence duty | 140,000 AMD | 255,950 AMD |
| Extension | Possible | No extension: new application each time |
| Where to apply | migration.e-gov.am booking, Migration and Citizenship Service office | Single e-platform (named permit.am by the ministry; launch date to be confirmed) |
| Business ground (LLC founder) | Registered business | Charter capital or shares of at least 2,000,000 AMD |
| Business ground (sole proprietor) | Registered business | At least 1,000,000 AMD on a business account, or 1,000,000 AMD turnover in the 60 days before applying |
| Special (10-year) residence | Available, 150,000 AMD | Abolished (existing ones valid until expiry) |
| Quotas | None | Annual quotas (numbers not yet published; family and Armenian-origin cases reportedly exempt) |
| Absence reporting | Not required | Report any absence of 183+ days within 10 days |
Other key points: you may hold only one legal status at a time, and the authorities decide within 30 days. A business-based status can be cancelled if capital falls below 1,000,000 AMD or no taxes are assessed for 180 days. In late September 2026 appointment slots before 1 November were reported to be exhausted, so most new applicants should prepare for the new system.
How do you get a residence permit in Armenia?
The current grounds for temporary residence are study, entrepreneurship, Armenian origin, being the spouse or close relative of a citizen or resident, employment with a work permit, and volunteering. The permit is issued for up to one year.
Typical documents:
- application form;
- three photos, 35×45 mm;
- passport with a notarized Armenian translation;
- documents proving your ground (company extract, employment contract, marriage or birth certificate, proof of Armenian origin);
- medical certificate (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, TB X-ray; about 17,000 AMD in private clinics);
- receipt for the state duty.
Full details, timelines and prices are in our Armenia residence permit guide.
Do you need a work permit in Armenia?
This is a frequent misunderstanding among Western newcomers. Only EAEU citizens (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) are exempt from work permits. EU, US, UK and other citizens are not exempt and need a work permit to be employed by an Armenian employer. From 1 November 2026:
- the labour market test is abolished;
- an annual quota for work permits applies;
- founders and heads of foreign-owned companies also need a permit;
- EAEU citizens remain exempt but need a certificate of lawful residence (free today; 35,950 AMD once the e-platform launches).
Work permits are handled through workpermit.am. If you work remotely for a foreign employer, the rules are less clear; talk to us before relying on that model for residence.
How do you set up a business in Armenia?
For many people, a company is the backbone of their relocation to Armenia. It gives you a legal income source, a business bank account and a ground for residence. You have two main options:
| Sole proprietor (IE) | Limited liability company (LLC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration time | 1 day | 1 working day by law, 2–3 days in practice |
| State fee | 3,000 AMD on paper, free online | Usually none (express 1-day: 30,000 AMD) |
| Team2B price | 30,000 AMD in person / 40,000 AMD remote | 200,000 AMD remote |
| Liability | Personal | Limited to the company |
| Residence threshold from 1 Nov 2026 | 1,000,000 AMD on account or turnover | 2,000,000 AMD charter capital |
| Best for | Freelancers, solo consultants | Founders, teams, IT companies |
Foreign ownership can be 100%, and registration can be done remotely by power of attorney. Foreign documents need an apostille and a translation, and an LLC needs an Armenian legal address. Read more in our company registration in Armenia guide.
What taxes will you pay after moving to Armenia?
Armenia has a simple tax system with a flat personal income tax:
| Tax | Rate (2026) |
|---|---|
| Personal income tax | 20% flat |
| Dividends | 5% |
| Rent and royalties | 10% |
| Corporate profit tax | 18% |
| VAT | 20% (threshold 115 million AMD turnover) |
| Turnover tax (simplified regime) | Mostly 10%; 7% production; 12% catering; 1% certified high-tech |
| Microbusiness | Exempt from VAT, profit and turnover tax up to 24 million AMD (allowed activities only) |
You become an Armenian tax resident if you spend 183+ days in Armenia in a calendar year or your centre of vital interests is there. IT, consulting, legal, accounting, marketing and design are excluded from microbusiness, and since 1 July 2025 legal and accounting services, management consulting and staffing (NACE 69, 70, 78.2, 78.3) are also excluded from turnover tax. Check your activity code before choosing a regime. Our taxes in Armenia guide has the details.
Home-country taxes still matter. US citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless of residence. Russian tax residents remain taxable in Russia on worldwide income, must report a foreign residence permit within 60 days of entering Russia and may have CFC reporting duties for a foreign company. Get advice for both sides before you move.
How do you open a bank account in Armenia?
You do not need a residence permit to open a personal account. Banks usually ask for:
- passport;
- social card / public service number (PSN);
- an Armenian address;
- an explanation of your source of funds and the purpose of the account.
Common choices include Ameriabank, Ardshinbank, ACBA, Inecobank, IDBank, Evocabank and Converse Bank. Opening fees for non-residents usually range from 10,000 to 25,000 AMD. In July 2026 Armenia came under MONEYVAL enhanced follow-up, so KYC checks are stricter and refusals happen. See our bank account in Armenia guide.
How much does it cost to live in Armenia?
Yerevan is affordable by Western standards, though rents rose sharply after 2022. Numbeo data for October 2026 (≈395 AMD per USD):
| Expense | Monthly cost (AMD) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat, city centre | ~353,000 (range 250,000–500,000) | ~890 |
| 1-bedroom flat, outside centre | ~236,000 | ~600 |
| 3-bedroom flat, city centre | ~533,000 | ~1,350 |
| 3-bedroom flat, outside centre | ~332,000 | ~840 |
| Utilities | ~45,600 | ~115 |
| Internet | ~8,700 | ~22 |
| Single person, excluding rent | ~274,000 | ~690 |
| Family of four, excluding rent | ~1,000,000 | ~2,530 |
For comparison, the average net salary in Armenia is about 245,000 AMD. Most landlords expect the first month plus a deposit. We can prepare or review a lease for you (80,000 AMD).
Can you drive in Armenia with a foreign licence?
Yes. Licences issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention (including Russian licences) are valid for driving. Residents can exchange a foreign licence without exams; it takes 2–4 months and the fee is about 12,000 AMD. If you import a car, it must be registered within 15 days. Electric vehicles benefit from a VAT exemption until 31 December 2026 and a 15,000-car duty-free quota for 2026.
What is the step-by-step plan for relocation to Armenia?
- Check your entry rules on the MFA list, including the 111-country waiver.
- Book a free consultation and choose your residence ground: business, work, family, Armenian origin or study.
- Prepare documents at home: apostilles on marriage and birth certificates, diplomas, and criminal record certificates if required.
- Arrive and translate your passport into Armenian with notarization (from 12,000 AMD).
- Get your social card (PSN), free at any MCS office; we can do it for 25,000 AMD.
- Rent a flat and get a lease you can use as proof of address.
- Open a bank account, with our escort if needed (25,000 AMD).
- Register your business (sole proprietor or LLC) and choose a tax regime within 20 days.
- Capitalize the business to meet the 1–2 million AMD threshold if you will apply after 1 November 2026.
- Get a medical certificate and file your residence application.
- Pick up your residence card and keep your business active (taxes assessed at least every 180 days).
- Plan ahead: permanent residence after 3 of 5 years, and citizenship after 3 years.
What are common mistakes when moving to Armenia?
- Assuming Western citizens can work without a permit. Only EAEU citizens are exempt.
- Relying on border runs instead of getting legal status.
- Registering a company with minimal capital and then discovering it does not qualify for residence after 1 November 2026.
- Picking the wrong tax regime for professional services.
- Ignoring home-country tax reporting.
- Leaving Armenia for 183+ days without reporting it once the new rules apply.
How can Team2B help with your relocation to Armenia?
We have supported relocants from 20+ countries. Our 80+ specialists handle residence permits, company setup, bank accounts, accounting (from 30,000 AMD per month), translations and legal advice. A full relocation package costs on request, and the first consultation is free. See our services or go to the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in Armenia without a residence permit?
Citizens of the EU, US, UK and many other countries can stay visa-free for up to 180 days per year. Russian and other EAEU citizens enter visa-free as well; officially the limit is also 180 days per year. Since 1 July 2026 and until 1 July 2027, nationals of 111 countries who hold a valid US, EU, Schengen or Gulf residence permit can enter visa-free too. To stay longer legally, you need a residence permit.
What is the easiest way to get residence in Armenia?
For most newcomers it is the business route: register a sole proprietorship or LLC and apply for temporary residence as an entrepreneur. From 1 November 2026 this requires at least 2,000,000 AMD of charter capital for LLC founders, or at least 1,000,000 AMD on a business account or in turnover over 60 days for sole proprietors. Ethnic Armenians and spouses or close relatives of citizens have their own simpler grounds.
How much money do I need to move to Armenia?
According to Numbeo (October 2026), a one-bedroom flat in central Yerevan costs about 353,000 AMD (around 890 USD) per month, and a single person spends about 274,000 AMD per month on top of rent. Budget for the first month’s rent plus deposit, document translations (from 12,000 AMD), the residence permit duty (105,000 AMD until 31 October 2026, 155,950 AMD from 1 November) and a medical certificate (about 17,000 AMD).
Do I need a work permit to work in Armenia?
Citizens of EAEU countries (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) do not need a work permit. Everyone else, including EU, US and UK citizens, needs one for employment with an Armenian employer. From 1 November 2026 founders and heads of foreign-owned companies also need a work permit, the labour market test is abolished and an annual quota applies.
Will I pay taxes in Armenia if I move there?
You become an Armenian tax resident if you spend 183 or more days in Armenia in a calendar year or your centre of vital interests is there. Personal income tax is a flat 20 percent, and dividends are taxed at 5 percent. Small businesses can use a turnover tax regime or microbusiness status. Your home country may still tax you, so get advice for both jurisdictions.
Can I open a bank account in Armenia as a foreigner?
Yes. A residence permit is not required. Banks typically ask for a passport, a social card (PSN), an Armenian address, and information on your source of funds and the purpose of the account. Opening fees for non-residents are usually 10,000 to 25,000 AMD. Banks may refuse at their discretion, and checks became stricter in 2026.
Is Armenia a good place for digital nomads?
Armenia is popular with remote workers because of the long visa-free stay, low cost of living compared with Western Europe, fast company registration and a flat 20 percent income tax. There is no dedicated digital nomad visa, so people who want to stay longer usually register a sole proprietorship or LLC and apply for residence on that basis.
Sources
- Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa-free regime
- Hartak: state services gateway
- Work permits in Armenia
- State Revenue Committee
- Legal acts database ARLIS
- Central Bank of Armenia
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Armenia
free consultation
We will review your case on Telegram or WhatsApp. Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00, 2 Nar-Dos st., Yerevan.