1. Does the constitutional and legal status of the Kaliningrad region differ from that of other subjects of the Russian Federation?
Kaliningrad region is a special economic zone but this does not influence its constitutional and legal status: Kaliningrad region is of the same status as other 88 subjects of the Russian Federation. This conclusion is based on provisions of the Constitution of Russia stating that Russia consists of the subjects of the Russian Federation enjoying equal rights (part 1 article 5, Constitution of Russian Federation). There are important characteristics of implementing economic activities in the Kaliningrad region, however the principles of authorities organisation are the same in Kaliningrad region and other subjects of the Russian Federation.

2. What is the difference of Kaliningrad region being a special economic zone from other regions of the Russian Federation?
Comparing to other Russian regions, a special favourable regime of investments and entrepreneur-ship activities including foreign economic and investment activities was introduced which gives Kaliningrad region a status of a special economic zone. The rates of above specific privileges are set up by the Federal Law dated 22 January 1996 N 13-FL "On the Special Economic Zone in the Kaliningrad Region" (amendments dated 27 December 2000, 30 December 2001, 21 March, 24 December 2002, 8, 23 December 2003).

3. Are the foreign citizens able to purchase land on the territory of Kaliningrad region into their full ownership?
In Kaliningrad region and on the territory of the Kaliningrad city foreign citizens and persons without citizenship can be in the possession of land only on the basis of the rent right. This is stated in the federal law "On the Special economic zone in the Kaliningrad region", article 5 stating that the right to the land use on the territory of a Special Economic Zone is given to foreign physical persons exclusively on the basis of the rent agreement (without the right to buy-out). The agreements for the land use are concluded according to the market rates for the rented land taking into account the interests of the population of Kaliningrad region, efficient land use factors, protection and improvement of environment.

4. Are there any additional limitations for the land ownership of foreign citizens?
Yes, besides the fact that the land cannot be in a private ownership of foreign citizens, according to part3, art.15 of the Land Code of RF, foreign citizens, persons without citizenship and foreign legal persons cannot be in a possession of the land located on the border territories a list of which is defined by the President of the Russian Federation and on other specially defined territories of the Russian Federation according to the federal regulations.

5. What is specific about the customs regime in Kaliningrad region concerning the goods produced in the special economic zone?
First of all, the goods produced in the Special Economic Zone and exported to other countries are exempted from the customs duties and other fees taken during the customs clearances of goods (except of customs fees).
Second, the goods produced in the Special Economic Zone and transported to the rest of the customs territory of the Russian Federation are exempted from the import customs duties and other fees taken during the customs clearance (except of customs fees).
Third, the goods imported to the Special Economic Zone from other countries and then transported to the rest of the customs territory of the Russian Federation as well as to the territory of the Customs Union (excluding the goods treated in the Special Economic Zone and considered as produced in the Special Economic Zone) are taxed by import customs duties during the customs clearance of goods. The economic policy measures may be applied to these goods (measures on non-tariff state regulation of foreign economic activities).

6. What goods are considered to be produced in a special economic zone in Kaliningrad region?
The goods are considered to be produced in a Special Economic Zone, if an added value cost of its handling (processing) is not less than 30 per cent, and for the goods regarding as electronics and complex household appliances is not less than 15 per cent, and its handling (processing) resulting in the change of the code of goods in a customs classification.

7. Is it possible that a Special Economic Zone may be eliminated in Kaliningrad region? What guarantees are provided for foreign and Russian SEZ operators in the Kaliningrad region?
A Special Economic Zone may be eliminated based on the federal law to be adopted by the initiative of the Government of the Russian Federation in cases of:
1) failure to reach aims and tasks stipulated by the Federal law for the Special Economic Zone in Kaliningrad region;
2) inconsistency between the functioning of a Special Economic Zone and vital interests of the Russian Federation.
In case the federal law on liquidation of a Special Economic Zone is adopted, the Government of the Russian Federation sets up the procedure and dates of the Special Economic Zone liquidation with the observance of the legislation of the Russian Federation and international agreements of the Russian Federation including those on protection of rights and interests of Russian and foreign entrepreneurs and investors.
For the commercial organisations of any business profile (production, construction, commercial and intermediatery and others) with full or partial attraction of foreign investments established in the Special Economic Zone after the Federal Law on SEZ came into force, the conditions for economic activities determined by the federal law will remain during three years since the date of the federal law on liquidation of the Special economic zone comes into force.

8. What are the conditions for foreign citizens which would like to visit Kaliningrad region?
The rules for visiting Kaliningrad region are the same as to the rest of the Russian Federation. All foreign citizens should have Russian entry visas. The visa should be received before entering the country. The foreign citizens coming to Russia should be registered in the local OVIR within three days after arrival. This is made automatically if you travel with a tourist company and stay at the hotel.

9. Are there any territories in Kaliningrad region restricted for visiting by foreigners?
According to the RF Governmental Decree dated 4 July 1992 N 470 "On approving a List of territories of the Russian Federation with a regulated visits of foreign citizens" (amended on 14 October 1992 , 17 November 1994, 27 November 1995 , 27 December 1997, 2 February 2000, 30 October 2001, 29 April, 9 July 2002), in Kaliningrad region five areas are determined as restricted for visiting by foreigners (exact borders of the areas closed for visiting by foreigners can be specified at the Agency):

• the city of Baltiisk;
• The Baltic Spit;
• Zelenogradsk district;
• Part of Gurievsk district;
• Part of Krasnoznamensk and Nesterov district territories.

The rules of visiting above mentioned territories by foreign citizens are permissive. For instance, in order to visit Baltiisk it is necessary to get a permission in the 8 unit of the Department of FSB in Kaliningrad region. It is necessary to provide information documents of foreign citizens, specify the aim and time of the visit, means of transport by which a foreigner will be carried to Baltiisk. The time of considering the documents is approximately 10 days.

10. What aviation companies are operating between Kaliningrad region and Western European countries?
There is a regular air-plane connection of the Polish air lines "LOT" on the route "Kaliningrad-Warsaw", which makes possible for the passengers to fly via Wasaw to other European countries. Besides, the Danish airlines "DAK" is operation on Sundays on the route "Copenhagen-Kaliningrad-Copenhagen" which is the most convenient as Copenhagen provides a wide range of further routes.
The flight route "Kaliningrad-Munich-Kaliningrad" is quite new for Kaliningrad operating one a week (on Saturdays) by "Urals air-lines". The price of a one-way ticket in economy class is 99$, a return ticket will cost 149$.

11. What foreign consulates are working on the territory of Kaliningrad region?
In Kaliningrad region an active operation is being provided by:
General Consulate of the Polish Republic
General Consulate of Lithuanian Republic.
Honoured Consulate of Denmark
General Consulate of Germany
Consulate of the Republic of Latvia
Consulate of Republic of Horvatia,
Consulate of Republic of Greece
Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden.