In 2026, healthcare in Russia will be available to both Russian and foreign citizens. However, the procedure for receiving medical services and their scope depend on the foreigner's status and the availability of insurance.
Main types of health insurance for foreigners
Type of insurance Description Who can get it? What does it cover?
Compulsory Medical Insurance (OMS) Free medical care in public and some private clinics Foreigners with a temporary residence permit, temporary residence permit, refugees, workers from the EAEU countries, as well as certain categories of temporary residents (with at least 5 years of work experience) Primary and specialized care, hospitalization, emergency care, medical examination, vaccinations
VHI (voluntary health insurance) Paid insurance, issued independently or through an employer All foreigners who are not entitled to compulsory medical insurance A wider range of services, dentistry, telemedicine, treatment in private clinics
How can a foreigner receive medical care in Russia?
1. Determine your status :
- A residence permit (RP) or a temporary residence permit (TRP) entitles you to compulsory medical insurance.
- Employees from the EAEU countries are entitled to compulsory medical insurance from the first day of work.
- Refugees and persons with temporary asylum - compulsory medical insurance.
- Temporarily staying (e.g. tourists, students) – only voluntary health insurance or paid services.
2. Apply for a compulsory medical insurance policy or a voluntary medical insurance policy :
- For compulsory medical insurance: contact your health insurance organization (HIO) with your passport, migration documents, and SNILS.
- For voluntary health insurance: enter into an agreement with any insurance company.
3. Register with a clinic :
- After receiving your policy, choose a clinic near your place of residence and register with it to receive medical care.
4. Use medical services :
- Under compulsory medical insurance – free of charge within the framework of the basic program.
- Under voluntary health insurance – in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Features for foreign citizens
• Mandatory medical examination : All foreign citizens are required to undergo a mandatory medical examination upon entry and employment (by a general practitioner, infectious disease specialist, psychiatrist, narcologist, dermatovenerologist, phthisiologist), as well as laboratory tests for HIV, syphilis and drugs.
• Compulsory Medical Insurance Restrictions : Not all categories of foreigners are eligible for compulsory medical insurance. For example, tourists and students without an employment contract are not eligible for free coverage; they require voluntary medical insurance or cash payment.
• Funding : In 2026, the state will allocate significant funds for the treatment of foreign citizens under the compulsory medical insurance system—at least 24–28 billion rubles annually.
• Electronic services : Registration of a policy and registration with a clinic is possible through insurance companies and partially through the State Services portal (if you have a verified account)
Important nuances
• The compulsory medical insurance policy for a foreigner is valid until the end of the calendar year, but not longer than the validity period of the permit documents (residence permit, temporary residence permit, etc.).
• If you move to another region or change your status, you must renew your policy.
• In Moscow and a number of large cities, an expanded compulsory medical insurance program with additional services is in effect.

Punitive psychiatry is the abuse of the psychiatric system to suppress dissent. During the Soviet era, there was a practice of confining dissidents and activists to psychiatric institutions.

Punitive psychiatry in Russia was seen as the use of antipsychotic medications in the treatment of apparently healthy individuals. Today, it is illegal to prescribe medications that are not included in clinical guidelines adopted by the professional community through scientific discussion.

Social activists are concerned that the possibility of developing “punitive psychiatry” in mental health clinics will remain.

The large-scale use of punitive psychiatry ended only during the perestroika years. In 1988, psychiatric hospitals were transferred from the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the Ministry of Health.

​​​​​​​Great success has been achieved in Moscow to rectify this situation, but there is still a long way to go.

Conclusion: Foreign citizens in Russia can receive medical care both free of charge (under the compulsory health insurance system) and for a fee (under the voluntary health insurance system or for cash). Access to free healthcare depends on migration status and insurance coverage. For most categories of migrants, obtaining insurance coverage is a mandatory procedure for legal residence and work in the country.