There are no special large-scale programs specifically for foreign businesses in 2026. Rather, the government is working through general mechanisms, but with important caveats and limitations: support is possible, but it is targeted and depends on how foreign businesses fit into Russian priorities.
How it works in practice
• Investment projects in priority areas. If a foreign investor launches a project in an industry deemed strategic by the state (import substitution, high technology, infrastructure, ecology), it may be eligible for regional support. Subjects of the Russian Federation have the right to provide incentives, subsidies, or co-financing from local budgets.
• Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Priority Development Areas (TOR), and Free Ports of Vladivostok (FPV). Foreign companies that become residents of these areas can receive tax and customs preferences. However, there's a catch: starting in 2026, new residents will be required to annually confirm their eligibility for these benefits. Now, they must actually meet their investment obligations (investment volume, job creation), or the benefits will be revoked.
• When participating in export support programs. If a company exports products from Russia, it may be eligible for subsidies for logistics, certification, exhibition participation, and other support measures implemented under the national project "International Cooperation and Export." However, companies from "friendly" countries and those operating in targeted industries (electronics, machine tool manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, etc.) are given priority.
• Compensation for specific costs. Sometimes the state reimburses some of the costs associated with localization: for example, the costs of adapting products to Russian standards, staff training, or purchasing certain equipment (often from the Ministry of Industry and Trade's registers). However, such measures are usually tied to specific industry programs.
What could become a barrier?
It's important to consider the context of 2026. Given the geopolitical situation, some areas have become more sensitive. For example:
• For companies from countries with which double taxation treaties have been suspended ( Presidential Decree No. 585), the tax burden on passive income (dividends, interest, royalties) has increased. This is not a support measure, but a factor that must be factored into the financial model.
• In certain cases, restrictions may apply to the participation of foreign capital in certain sectors (defense, strategic enterprises).
What should foreign businesses do?
We recommend this route:
1. Prioritize. Clearly articulate the company's area of operation and how its project aligns with national goals.
2. Contact relevant institutions. Talk to representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development, regional investment agencies, and the SME Corporation. They will help you understand what specific measures are available in your specific region and for your specific project.
3. Read the terms and conditions carefully. If a benefit or subsidy is offered, it's important to clarify all requirements immediately: what indicators must be achieved, how to report, and what risks arise if the terms and conditions change.
In general, the approach now is this: not “support for all foreigners,” but “incentives for those who invest in what Russia needs.”
Promising investment projects in Russia in 2026
Guarantees for foreign investors in Russia 2026
Entering the Russian market for foreign companies in 2026
Business forms of foreign companies in Russia in 2026