Moving to Russia from Ireland

moving to

What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Ireland to Russia — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Ireland to Russia, you would find that Russia is 47.2% cheaper than Ireland overall. A €65,577 salary in Ireland would need to be roughly RUB3,063,573 in Russia to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Russian. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

How Far Will Your Money Go?

What to expect for your wallet after moving from Ireland to Russia.

What does your salary buy?

€65,577 RUB3,063,573

To maintain the same standard of living in Russia

Calculate with your salary →

Where you'll feel the difference day-to-day

Restaurants

pay 57.8% less

Groceries

pay 41.1% less

Transportation

pay 62.2% less

Housing

pay 72.0% less

Childcare

pay 30.6% less

Entertainment and Sports

pay 63.1% less

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 EUR = 89.35 RUB (July 2026)

Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.

Cost of living by city

Cost of living varies a lot by city. Each figure is a city's overall cost of living as a percentage of New York City (the priciest, = 100%).

On average, cities in Russia cost about 33% less than cities in Ireland.

Ireland

Athlone 66%
Sligo 63%

Russia

Compare cities head-to-head

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Ireland to Russia, based on official data.

Living there in 2020
173 ↓ 1% vs 2015

people born in Ireland live in Russia · UN DESA

Who's moving to Russia?

Top countries of origin for Russia's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Ireland to Russia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

IE
0.9
RU
6.8
Feel safe walking at night United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

of residents who feel safe walking alone at night

IE
75%
RU
90%

Ireland generally does better on safety, though Russia leads in feel safe walking at night.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

IE
$8,772
RU
$3,204
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

IE
40.6
RU
38.3

Ireland generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Russia leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

IE
13.0
RU
39.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

IE
6.0t
RU
14.0t

Ireland performs better than Russia across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

IE
32.1
RU
24.8
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

IE
22.2%
RU
4.1%

Ireland generally does better on infrastructure, though Russia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

IE
4.3%
RU
3.3%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

IE
$115,600
RU
$39,800

Russia generally does better on employment & economy, though Ireland leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

IE
81.7 yrs
RU
72.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

IE
3.5
RU
6.4

Ireland generally does better on family life, though Russia leads in education spending.

Data: The Office of the Revenue Commissioners, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Dublin Rain: 29.8 in/yr (758 mm)
56° / 44°F

Avg. annual high / low

Moscow Rain: 27.2 in/yr (691 mm)
48° / 34°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Dublin Moscow
Jan–Mar 49°/37°F (10°/3°C) 27°/15°F (-3°/-10°C)
Apr–Jun 59°/44°F (15°/7°C) 62°/45°F (17°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 66°/52°F (19°/11°C) 68°/52°F (20°/11°C)
Oct–Dec 51°/41°F (11°/5°C) 36°/26°F (2°/-3°C)
View all months
Month Dublin Moscow
Jan 47°/36°F (8.1°/2.4°C) 21°/10°F (-6.3°/-12.3°C)
Feb 47°/36°F (8.3°/2.3°C) 24°/12°F (-4.2°/-11.1°C)
Mar 54°/38°F (12.1°/3.4°C) 35°/22°F (1.5°/-5.6°C)
Apr 54°/40°F (12.1°/4.6°C) 51°/35°F (10.4°/1.7°C)
May 59°/44°F (14.8°/6.9°C) 65°/46°F (18.4°/7.6°C)
Jun 64°/49°F (17.6°/9.6°C) 71°/53°F (21.7°/11.5°C)
Jul 67°/53°F (19.5°/11.7°C) 74°/56°F (23.1°/13.5°C)
Aug 67°/53°F (19.2°/11.5°C) 71°/54°F (21.5°/12.0°C)
Sep 63°/50°F (17.0°/9.8°C) 60°/45°F (15.4°/7.1°C)
Oct 56°/45°F (13.6°/7.3°C) 47°/36°F (8.2°/2.1°C)
Nov 51°/40°F (10.3°/4.5°C) 34°/26°F (1.1°/-3.3°C)
Dec 47°/37°F (8.3°/2.8°C) 26°/17°F (-3.5°/-8.6°C)

Data: Met Éireann, The Irish Meteorological Service Met Éireann, The Irish Meteorological Service, Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Ireland and Russia. To live, work, or study long-term in Russia, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Russia's immigration authority.

Ireland passport

Ireland passport holder visiting Russia

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Ireland passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Russia.
Russia passport

Russia passport holder visiting Ireland

Visa Required
Russia passport holders need a visa to enter Ireland.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Russia than Ireland?

Yes — Russia is on average about 48% cheaper than Ireland. City-level variation can be significant.

How much money do I need to move to Russia?

Plan for at least 3 months of living expenses — roughly RUB765,893 in Russia on a €65,577 comparable salary — plus one-off moving costs (flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees).

Can I work remotely from Russia?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Russia has 24.8 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Russia safe for expats?

Ireland generally does better on safety, though Russia leads in feel safe walking at night. The homicide rate in Russia is 6.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.9 in Ireland. About 90% of people in Russia feel safe walking alone at night.

How is healthcare in Russia compared to Ireland?

Ireland generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Russia leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 38.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Russia, compared to 40.6 in Ireland. Russia scores 79 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Ireland: 83).

What's the weather like in Russia compared to Ireland?

The average high temperature in Moscow is 48°F, compared to 56°F in Dublin. Moscow receives around 27.2 in of rainfall per year, while Dublin gets 29.8 in.

What language do they speak in Russia?

The official language in Russia is Russian. In Ireland, the official languages are English and Irish.

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At a Glance

IE RU
Population 5,275,004 142,021,981
Currency Euro (€) Russian Ruble (RUB)
Languages English, Irish Russian
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +353 +7
Time zones 1 9
Emergency number 112 112