Representative office, branch or company – Doing business in Russia

When foreign companies and people in Russia want to start a business, it makes sense for them to start off with an office or a branch. Neither form of business is considered a legal entity and they are relatively easy to set up. Basically all you need to set up a representative office is the accreditation by a special authority. Many documents are available online. Foreign companies use representative offices in Russia to gain initial experience with the Russian business community and to establish a network. Once commercial transactions need to be settled in Russia you must set up a branch at least. Here again, for this legal entity all you need is the accreditation by the respective authority. Establishing a Co. (in Russian OOO) is a bit more complex. To ensure a successful start to your business in Russia, its a good idea to have a strong partner by your side. To enable you to freely communicate with authorities, customers and business partners, we translate your documents from every field. Our native translators have in-depth knowledge of the target language, thereby assuring the high quality of our translations. We will advise you personally and provide you with a customized quote. Simply send us the text to be translated byemail or use the quote form to the right. Of course, we can also advise you by phone.

Red tape and a mania for official stamps

The documents required for establishing a business in all these forms almost always need to be translated into Russian as well as certified. Anyone who has ever worked in the CEE region will know that many administrative matters in these countries are sometimes handled in a very “roundabout” way. Almost nothing is complete without the obligatory stamp, and before you set off to establish your company in Russia, you're going to need a stamp first. The existence of a company stamp is regarded as a kind of proof of the existence of the new company. There are a large number of law firms that offer their assistance in setting up a company in Russia. When in doubt, it is better and ultimately cheaper to use them rather than being constantly stuck in bureaucratic dead ends.

Business etiquette for Russia

Naturally, the mentality of Russian business partners can't be painted with a broad brush, but it is generally observed that there is a more pronounced hierarchical thinking and a more rigorous review process than you tend to find in Western countries. In the business sector, dressing sharply is important. By the same token, don't let yourself be fooled by the intentionally casual clothes worn by many business partners. These are often very powerful investors. Today's Russians have long since left the image of the former Soviet citizen behind. They are open-minded and most speak at least one foreign language. The economic crisis and the fall of the Wall have shaken the Russian economy system and continue to do so today. Many Russians have lost their life savings twice in their own lifetimes. This perhaps explains why Russians are often spontaneously very happy to invest, but at the same time shy away from long-term commitments.

Translations for any industry

From a simple employment contract to complex software for chemical companies, we translate all kinds of documents in every industry. To ensure that your texts are translated with high fidelity -- both linguistically and in terms of subject matter -- we work exclusively with native translators who have the appropriate knowledge in each specialized area. Here for instance, our translators know the Russian legal system and the local characteristics that are relevant for your marketing texts. Find out about our offer for yourself and contact us today.