Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency whistleblower, has been given permission to stay in Russia for three more years and will be allowed to travel abroad for three-month stints. His Russian lawyer told reporters that Snowden, whose temporary asylum ran out on 1 August, has received a three-year residence permit.

"The decision on the application has been taken and therefore, starting 1 August 2014, Edward Snowden has received a three-year residential permit," said Anatoly Kucherena.

But the former NSA contractor has not been granted political asylum, which would have allowed him to stay in Russia permanently. However, Kucherena said Snowden would be able to extend his residency permit for a further three years when it runs out and after five years would be eligible to apply for Russian citizenship. He did not know if Snowden intended to do so.

Snowden arrived at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on a flight from Hong Kong on 23 June 2013 after identifying himself as the source of the Guardian's revelations on the extensive US and British clandestine internet surveillance operations. Snowden, who was on his way to Cuba, spent five weeks in the transit area after the US cancelled his travel documents, before being given temporary asylum in Russia.

The residency permit will allow Snowden to travel out of Russia for the first time, provided he does not stay outside the country for more than three months at a time, Kucherena said. The lawyer said he could not say which country Snowden might visit.

In an interview with the Guardian last month, Snowden said that he keeps late and solitary hours – effectively living on US time, tapping away on one of his three computers.

Of his life now compared with before, he said, "There's actually not that much difference. You know, I think there are guys who are just hoping to see me sad. And they're going to continue to be disappointed."

Kucherena told the press conference that Snowden was studying Russian and had an IT-related job, but did not provide details. He said Snowden's security was being taken seriously and that he was using private security guards. He denied that Snowden was living in housing provided by the Russian government or under the protection of government agents, saying that the whistleblower lived off his salary and donations to a fund in his name.

"He leads a rather modest lifestyle, but nevertheless we proceed from the tone of statements that come from the US state department and other political figures," he said.

"He moves around pretty freely, he goes to stores, museums, theatres, as photos published in the media show," Kucherena said. "But we also need to think about his safety."

In response to a question from the Guardian, the lawyer denied that Snowden had had any contacts with Russian intelligence or was working in any capacity with the government.

"I have a good relationship with him and he asks me about most things, but there have been no questions from him about [intelligence] contacts or giving evidence," Kucherena said. "He works in a profession in which he is a great expert, in technology, and he works on issues related to this. We've mainly discussed questions of his stay here, as well as his questions about human rights. He likes what he's doing and he's not engaged in any other activities."

Asked about the recent admission by US intelligence officials that another insider similar to Snowden appeared to be leaking secrets to journalists, Kucherena said Snowden might have inspired "successors", but was not directly involved.

"As far as successors, not just one person, but many have appeared," Kucherena said. "Edward Snowden doesn't have anything to do with this, but the feat he accomplished inspires other young people who follow this and understand that we live in a world of total surveillance in violation of our rights."

Snowden's whereabouts remain a secret and few pictures of him have appeared in the media.

Senior US political figures have accused Snowden of committing treason.

Snowden told the Guardian that he is financially secure for the immediate future. In addition to substantial savings from his career as a well-compensated contractor, he has received numerous awards and speaking fees from around the world. He is also in the process of securing foundation funding for a new press-freedom initiative, creating tools that allow journalists to communicate securely.

The US has filed espionage charges against Snowden, charging him with theft of government property, unauthorised communication of national defence information and wilful communication of classified communications intelligence to an unauthorised person. The case has been a factor in tensions between Russia and the US.

The UN's top human rights official has suggested that the US should abandon its efforts to prosecute Snowden, saying his revelations of massive state surveillance had been in the public interest. Navi Pillay credited Snowden with starting a global debate that has led to calls for the curtailment of state powers to snoop on citizens online and store their data.

Kucherena said Snowden's representatives were open to meeting with the new US ambassador when he arrives in Russia, but had no reason to turn Snowden over to the United States.