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When travelling overland in Russia (i.e. not on the Trans-Siberian) I hear you must register with the police in each new place, but does this cost money?

I know there are some gotchas with registering with the police when travelling in Russia but is there a fee or are bribes common when registering? And what about getting caught without registering? Also is there a minimum time I must spend in a place before registering must be done?

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2 Answers

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You can stay without registration during 3 month after you came. But you need to have a document that confirms that (airplane or train ticket will work).

If you want to stay longer - you'll need to get a temporary registration in the police. That may be painful, because this registration is bound to a place where you live and should be made for you by your houskeepers or a hotel. I don't know whether they will do this for you or not.

But you can "hack" the system by buying a new train ticket to the town of your stay (you can do this at the railway station). After that, you've got another 3 month. Sounds idiotic, but it works (for me it did).

Summary: < 3 months is not a problem if you have a ticket. > 3 months is a problem, that you'll need to solve with your housekeeper or a hotel (or perform the above "hack").

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In big cities you can use firms, what provides the places in wich you can be @registered@. It is not veruy expensive, but sometimes useful. Also, I don't think you will be checked for ID as you are not from "danger region" (Caucasus or something) – VMAtm Jun 25 '11 at 11:17
I would be very catious having a deal with such firms, 'cause they don't have any legal right to provide you with registration (it's a prerogative of police only). So, most likely such "registration" won't be valid. – weekens Jun 25 '11 at 11:23
This firms have some houses in their own, so, according to the laws, they can officially "register" (there is no word in English to the "Propiska" in russian) in police all visitors. I don't mean the fake registration at all. – VMAtm Jun 25 '11 at 11:32
+1 Great answer. nice summary and love the use of the work "hack" too. Thanks! – therobyouknow Jan 3 '12 at 12:33
up vote 6 down vote

I've been told to register if you're in a place for 7 days or more. Simply put, hostels should be able to do this for you, it takes a day, and is very simple. Just ask them when you get there. Nobody checked mine, however upon exit, but when I return to Russia I'll continue to register - it's one thing you don't want to get caught short on.

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And it doesn't cost anything? – hippietrail Jun 27 '11 at 0:36
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@hippietrail As I know, this is hotel-dependant parameter. In Moscow it cost from 10 to 25 EURO if you are using some firm for helping you, in other towns it can be cheaper. Can't find any info about official due for this. May be it is for free. – VMAtm Sep 2 '11 at 5:36
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Sorry, missed that question. It cost me but it wasn't much - in St Petersburg for example it was 400 rubels (about 10 Euros). – Mark Mayo Sep 2 '11 at 12:33
10 euros each time I move??? Ouch! I guess the trick is to move every six days then? (-: – hippietrail Sep 2 '11 at 13:34
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Or get the hostel to write that you're staying with them for a week, even if it's only two days ;) – Mark Mayo Sep 3 '11 at 1:08

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