Temporary Registration in Apartments
In its Ruling No. 4-P dated 3 February 2026, the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation held that temporary registration at a place of stay in non-residential premises (apartments) is permissible, provided that such premises are in fact intended for residential use and do not form part of a hotel’s room stock.
The case arose from a complaint by a family that had been refused temporary registration by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) at apartment-type premises owned by a relative. Despite the premises being suitable for living and the owner’s consent having been obtained, the courts upheld the refusal, referring to the formal legal status of the premises as “non-residential.”
In its ruling, however, the Constitutional Court stressed that, when deciding on registration, the authorities must take into account the actual conditions of use of the premises, and not only their formal legal classification. Where the premises are suitable for living and the owner’s consent is provided, the MVD is required to consider such applications under the rules applicable to temporary registration in residential premises.
