Address
Inter Relocation Group Ltd.
1068 Budapest,
Felsőerdősor u.
12-14. I. em. 4.
Hungary (Group Partner)
Key Facts
Government type: Unitary parliamentary republic
Capital: Yerevan
Total Area: 29,743 km2
Population: 3,050,440
GDP Per Capita (PPP) $ 9,456
Official languages: Armenian
Religions: Armenian Apostolic 95%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi 1%
Country code: +374
Currency: Dram (AMD)
Voltage: 220 V
Brief Overview
Armenia is a sovereign state in the South Caucasus. Landlocked, it is bordered by Turkey to the West, Georgia to the North, Iran to the South, Azerbaijan to the East, and Azerbaijan’s Naxcivan exclave to the Southwest. 5% of the country is made up of Lake Sevan (Sevana Lich), the largest lake in the Lesser Caucasus mountain range. Armenia’s many mountains and valleys create a great number of microclimates, with everything from arid landscapes to lush forests. The Armenian capital, Yerevan, has a modern industrial sector specialized in chemicals, machinery, rubber, textiles, food and alcoholic beverages.
In 301 AD, Armenia became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion. There are thousands of churches and monasteries in Armenia where the population is Apostolic Christian. They have their own “pope” known as The Catholicos of All Armenia.
Armenia is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, the Council of Europe and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Armenia supports the breakaway Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, which proclaimed its independence in 1991.
Culture
The culture of Armenia encompasses many elements that are based on the geography, literature, architecture, dance, and music of the people.
The designation “Armenia” applies to different entities: a “historical” Armenia, the Armenian plateau, the 1918–1920 U.S. State Department map of an Armenia, and the current republic of Armenia. The notion “Armenian culture” implies not just the culture of Armenia but that of the Armenian people, the majority of whom live outside the current boundaries of the republic of Armenia.
Approximately 3 million people live in the republic of Armenia. Another 3 million Armenians live in various countries of the ex-Soviet Union—mainly in Russia. Armenians have their own distinctive alphabet and language. 96% of the people in the country speak Armenian, while 75.8% of the population additionally speaks Russian, although English is becoming increasingly popular.
Armenians are famous for their kindness and hospitality, respect for adults, strong family values and their gentle attitude to children. Sometimes they can be hot-tempered but they are generally generous and good-natured. Armenians are known for their hospitality and respect for foreigners. They are very welcoming and try to do everything to make foreign guests feel as comfortable as possible and fall in love with Armenia.
Immigration
EU/EFTA citizens and those of the former USSR can spend up to 180 days per year in Armenia without a visa. Nationals of other countries must apply for a visa, which is issued for up to 120 days with the option of a 60-day extension. They are normally easily obtained upon arrival at the border, either by air or land. Tourists can obtain a single or multiple entry visitor visa that is valid for up to one year. The country also offers transit visas that allow visitors to spend up to three days in the Republic of Armenia during each stay.
Citizens of certain countries (i.e., China, India, Pakistan, African countries) must obtain visas at an Armenian consulate abroad, which may require an invitation from an Armenian resident. The visa is usually processed by diplomatic missions and consular posts within three working days. In some cases, additional checks may be required, thus prolonging the processing time.
As of yet, there is no system regulating the delivery of work permits to foreign parties. There are no quotas, tests or other restrictions on hiring foreign employees, which means that Armenian employers do not have to choose local people over foreigners. However, non-nationals must first obtain employment in order to get a work permit and work visa. Documents required include a job offer from a company and a signed labour contract. The process generally takes up to 2 months.
Rental Market
53% of the apartment housing is concentrated in the capital of Armenia – Yerevan. During Soviet times, Yerevan underwent massive reconstruction to make wide, neo-classical avenues reminiscent of Paris, Vienna and Saint Petersburg. Despite this fact the fully-formed historical planning of streets remained almost unaffected by reconstruction.
Nowadays, small quarters with historical low-rise buildings so treasured by urbanists and local residents are preserved in the city center. In 2000s several high-rise buildings appeared in the “heart” of Yerevan, but the main newly-built housing fond is concentrated around city center in order to save the historical part of Yerevan.
Most expats live in the centre of Yerevan, which is very compact and beautiful, with endless dining and entertainment options. The city centre is divided into two hubs: the grand Republic Square and the elegant Opera district (Opera House, Freedom Square and Swan Lake Park).
Below you can find table reflecting average housing prices for different types of property in Erevan*:
1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms |
$1,000-$1,500 | $1,800-$2,100 |
3 bedrooms | 4+ bedrooms / townhouse |
$2,500-$3,300 | $4,000-$6,000 |
* These are average rental prices which are applicable only for long-term rent, vary on location and apartment type/class and does not include utilities or other expenses applicable.
Schools
There are a few international schools available in Yerevan: Quality Schools International (QSI), CIS Armenia International School, British International School of Armenia (BISA). Availability is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality.
Schools most popular with expats:
Healthcare
Expats living in Yerevan need medical insurance, which is mandatory for all residents. It is also recommended that foreign nationals take out Medical Evacuation Coverage (MEDEVAC) because, while most hospitals provide adequate care, it may be necessary to seek treatment abroad, a costly endeavor.
The healthcare system in Yerevan is composed of national care hospitals, regional hospitals and primary healthcare providers. In the city, there are many hospitals and clinics, including the internationally-recognized:
Infrastructurte
Central Yerevan is a true jewel of early Soviet architecture, but it’s also home to some large-scale modern and post-modern designs that are mostly the result of Soviet-Armenian architectural megalomania. In Soviet days, Yerevan became known as the “Pink City” due to the color of the tufa stone used in construction, but also for the spirit of the city’s young population.
Government type: Unitary parliamentary republic
Capital: Yerevan
Total Area: 29,743 km2
Population: 3,050,440
GDP Per Capita (PPP) $ 9,456
Official languages: Armenian
Religions: Armenian Apostolic 95%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi 1%
Country code: +374
Currency: Dram (AMD)
Voltage: 220 V
Armenia is a sovereign state in the South Caucasus.
Landlocked, it is bordered by Turkey to the West, Georgia to the North, Iran to the South, Azerbaijan to the East, and Azerbaijan’s Naxcivan exclave to the Southwest. 5% of the country is made up of Lake Sevan (Sevana Lich), the largest lake in the Lesser Caucasus mountain range.
Armenia’s many mountains and valleys create a great number of microclimates, with everything from arid landscapes to lush forests. The Armenian capital, Yerevan, has a modern industrial sector specializing in chemicals, machinery, rubber, textiles, food and alcoholic beverages.
In 301 AD, Armenia became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion.
There are thousands of churches and monasteries in Armenia where the population is Apostolic Christian. They have their own “pope” known as The Catholicos of All Armenia.
Armenia is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, the Council of Europe and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Armenia supports the breakaway Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, which proclaimed its independence in 1991.
The culture of Armenia encompasses many elements that are based on the geography, literature, architecture, dance, and music of the people.
The designation “Armenia” applies to different entities: a “historical” Armenia, the Armenian plateau, the 1918–1920 U.S. State Department map of Armenia, and the current republic of Armenia.
The notion “Armenian culture” implies not just the culture of Armenia but that of the Armenian people, the majority of whom live outside the current boundaries of the republic of Armenia.
Approximately 3 million people live in the republic of Armenia.
Another 3 million Armenians live in various countries of the ex-Soviet Union—mainly in Russia. Armenians have their own distinctive alphabet and language.
96% of the people in the country speak Armenian, while 75.8% of the population additionally speaks Russian, although English is becoming increasingly popular.
Armenians are famous for their kindness and hospitality, respect for adults, strong family values and their gentle attitude to children.
Sometimes they can be hot-tempered but they are generally generous and good-natured.
Armenians are known for their hospitality and respect for foreigners. They are very welcoming and try to do everything to make foreign guests feel as comfortable as possible and fall in love with Armenia.
EU/EFTA citizens and those of the former USSR can spend up to 180 days per year in Armenia without a visa.
Nationals of other countries must apply for a visa, which is issued for up to 120 days with the option of a 60-day extension. They are normally easily obtained upon arrival at the border, either by air or land.
Tourists can obtain a single or multiple entry visitor visa that is valid for up to one year. The country also offers transit visas that allow visitors to spend up to three days in the Republic of Armenia during each stay.
Citizens of certain countries (i.e., China, India, Pakistan, African countries) must obtain visas at an Armenian consulate abroad, which may require an invitation from an Armenian resident.
The visa is usually processed by diplomatic missions and consular posts within three working days.
In some cases, additional checks may be required, thus prolonging the processing time.
As of yet, there is no system regulating the delivery of work permits to foreign parties. There are no quotas, tests or other restrictions on hiring foreign employees, which means that Armenian employers do not have to choose local people over foreigners.
However, non-nationals must first obtain employment in order to get a work permit and work visa. Documents required include a job offer from a company and a signed labour contract. The process generally takes up to 2 months.
53% of the apartment housing is concentrated in the capital of Armenia – Yerevan. During Soviet times, Yerevan underwent massive reconstruction to make wide, neo-classical avenues reminiscent of Paris, Vienna and Saint Petersburg.
Despite this fact the fully-formed historical planning of streets remained almost unaffected by reconstruction. Nowadays, small quarters with historical low-rise buildings so treasured by urbanists and local residents are preserved in the city center.
In the early 2000s, several high-rise buildings appeared in the “heart” of Yerevan, but the main newly-built housing fund is concentrated around the city center in order to save the historical part of Yerevan.
Most expats live in the centre of Yerevan, which is very compact and beautiful, with endless dining and entertainment options.
The city centre is divided into two hubs: the grand Republic Square and the elegant Opera district (Opera House, Freedom Square and Swan Lake Park).
Below is a table reflecting average housing prices for different types of property in Yerevan*:
1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms | 4+ bedrooms / townhouse |
$1,000-$1,500 | $1,800-$2,100 | $2,500-$3,300 | $4,000-$6,000 |
* These are average rental prices which are applicable only for long-term rent, vary on location and apartment type/class and does not include utilities or other expenses applicable.
There are a few international schools available in Yerevan:
Availability is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality.
Schools most popular with expats:
Expats living in Yerevan need medical insurance, which is mandatory for all residents.
It is also recommended that foreign nationals take out Medical Evacuation Coverage (MEDEVAC) because, while most hospitals provide adequate care, it may be necessary to seek treatment abroad, a costly endeavor.
The healthcare system in Yerevan is composed of national care hospitals, regional hospitals and primary healthcare providers.
In the city, there are many hospitals and clinics, including the internationally-recognized:
Central Yerevan is a true jewel of early Soviet architecture, but it’s also home to some large-scale modern and post-modern designs that are mostly the result of Soviet-Armenian architectural megalomania.
In Soviet days, Yerevan became known as the “Pink City” due to the color of the tufa stone used in construction, but also for the spirit of the city’s young population.