RUSSIA HANDBOOK Military Family Services Europe / MFS(E) Riga-Remote Team [email protected] www.cafconnection.ca / www.connexionfac.ca Created: July 2019 Updated: March 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS GREETINGS FROM YOUR MFS(E) RIGA-REMOTE TEAM 1 European Advisory Committee ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Using This Guide .................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES ....................................... 5 OVERVIEW OF MOSCOW ............................................. 6 Map .............................................................................................................. 6 Geography/Politics .......................................................................................... 7 Climate ......................................................................................................... 7 Languages ..................................................................................................... 8 Religion ......................................................................................................... 8 Cost of Living ................................................................................................. 9 Canadian/Expat Community ............................................................................. 9 Cultural Nuances, Etiquette and Traditions ......................................................... 9 Public Holidays ............................................................................................. 10 News ........................................................................................................... 10 BEFORE YOU COME ................................................... 11 EMERGENCY INFORMATION ..................................... 16 Public Safety and Security .............................................................................. 16 Emergency Contacts ...................................................................................... 16 GETTING SETTLED .................................................... 17 Created: July 2019 Updated: March 2020 Making Phone Calls ....................................................................................... 17 Calling Within Europe .............................................................................. 17 Calling Outside of Moscow ....................................................................... 17 Calling Canada from Moscow .................................................................... 17 Calling Moscow from Canada .................................................................... 18 Some Country Codes: ............................................................................. 18 Summary: ............................................................................................. 18 Toll Free and Charges for Calls ................................................................. 19 Where to Live ............................................................................................... 19 Houses and Realtors ...................................................................................... 19 BASE INFORMATION ................................................ 20 Map ............................................................................................................ 20 Exchange/Commissary .................................................................................. 21 Schools ....................................................................................................... 21 Morale, Welfare and Recreation ....................................................................... 22 Housing ....................................................................................................... 22 Religious Services ......................................................................................... 22 Post Office ................................................................................................... 23 TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION ................................... 24 Subsidized Travel .......................................................................................... 24 NON-UNIT Fund and CANEX/SISIP Grant .......................................................... 24 Air Travel ..................................................................................................... 24 Public Transit ............................................................................................... 26 Train ........................................................................................................... 27 Taxis ........................................................................................................... 28 Car Rental ................................................................................................... 28 Hotels ......................................................................................................... 29 Travel Advisories .......................................................................................... 29 ADMINISTRATION .................................................... 30 Banking ....................................................................................................... 30 Local Currency ....................................................................................... 30 Bank Accounts and Financial Considerations ............................................... 30 Bank Cards ............................................................................................ 30 Credit Cards .......................................................................................... 30 Online Banking Payments – IBANs, BICs, and TANs .................................... 31 Money Transfer ...................................................................................... 31 Insurance .................................................................................................... 31 CRA and Residency Status for Spouses/Dependents ........................................... 31 Child Benefits ............................................................................................... 33 Pets ............................................................................................................ 33 POSTAL SERVICES .................................................... 35 Personal Mail ................................................................................................ 35 Canadian Forces Post Office ..................................................................... 35 Moscow Postal Services ........................................................................... 35 HEALTH SERVICES ................................................... 36 General ....................................................................................................... 36 Emergency Numbers ..................................................................................... 37 Hospitals ..................................................................................................... 37 Private Clinics ............................................................................................... 42 Pharmaceutical Services ................................................................................ 43 Dental Clinics ............................................................................................... 43 Social Services ............................................................................................. 44 Social Worker ........................................................................................ 44 Padre .................................................................................................... 44 CAF Member Assistance Program .............................................................. 44 Family Information Line .......................................................................... 45 Local Resources ..................................................................................... 45 A. A. Meetings ....................................................................................... 45 Great West Life / Allianz ................................................................................ 45 Dental Claims ........................................................................................ 45 Medical Claims ....................................................................................... 45 ON THE ROAD ........................................................... 47 General ....................................................................................................... 47 Driver’s Licence ............................................................................................ 47 Information on Driver’s Licence in Canada and Renewal ..................................... 48 Roadworthiness Test/Safety ........................................................................... 49 Car Insurance ............................................................................................... 50 Vehicle Registration ....................................................................................... 50 Emission Sticker ........................................................................................... 51 European Green Zones ............................................................................ 51 Fuel Card ....................................................................................................