Verified: July 2026. Amounts set by Federal Law 117-FZ and annual budget decree.
How does the NIS actually work?
The state opens a personal savings account when you enter NIS. Each year the federal budget deposits a fixed sum (383,979 ₽ in 2026). After 3 years you can use the accumulated balance as a down payment; the state then continues paying the mortgage instalments from your account for the remaining contract years.
You do not spend your own salary on the mortgage while serving. If you leave the contract early without qualifying grounds, you pay the state back.
Who is eligible?
- Russian citizens (mandatory)
- Officers: automatic enrolment after 3 years of service
- Sergeants and soldiers under contract: after signing a second contract, minimum 3 years total service
Foreign contractors: eligible only after they receive Russian citizenship. The 30-day Decree No. 690 path makes this feasible in the first year. See also the full citizenship guide.
What can you buy with 3.7 million ₽?
| City | Realistic buy (3.7M ₽ down) |
|---|---|
| Moscow (outer districts) | studio ~30 m² |
| Moscow region | 1-room 40 m² |
| Krasnodar | 2-room 55 m² |
| Kazan | 2-room 60 m² |
| Novosibirsk | 2-room 60 m² |
| Small regional cities | 3-room or house |
The mortgage is issued by PSB, Sber, or VTB at the current NIS rate (~10–12% in 2026). The state covers instalments up to a ceiling; anything above you cover yourself.
Timeline for a foreign contractor
Year 1: sign contract → get Russian citizenship (30 days under Decree No. 690) → NIS account opens Year 3: enough savings to trigger down payment Year 3–4: choose apartment, arrange mortgage, state starts paying instalments Year 20 (contract end): mortgage paid off if you served full term
Most contractors do not stay 20 years. Realistic scenario: 5–7 years of service, then either a lump-sum settlement or continue payments from your own pocket.
What can go wrong?
- Leaving service early. Ending your contract before 10 years total service without valid grounds (medical, family) means you repay the state's contribution with interest. Read the contract exit rules before you sign anything.
- Price rises above the state cap. NIS instalment ceiling is fixed annually. If your chosen apartment costs more than the state pays, the gap is yours — and this gap has grown as Russian property prices rose in 2023–2025.
- Not all regions have NIS-approved new builds. In small cities the choice is narrow; you may end up buying in a different city than where you serve.
