NationalityLaws
Russia flag

Russia.ru

Dual Citizenship: Conditional Europe

Do I need a visa?

Full visa checker →

Country Snapshot

Passport Power
#49
118 visa-free
Henley Passport Index 2026
Happiness
#72
of 143 countries
World Happiness Report 2024
Global Peace
#154
of 163 countries
Global Peace Index 2024
Human Development
#56
of 193 countries
UNDP HDI 2024
Economic Freedom
56.1
of 100
Heritage Foundation 2024
Corruption Index
26
of 100 (higher = cleaner)
Transparency International 2024
Business Friendliness
4/10
Nationality Index Assessment

Russia

Last Updated: 2026-03-31

Official Portal: Ministry of Internal Affairs — Citizenship

Embassy Finder: Russian Diplomatic Missions

Quick Facts

CategoryDetails
Residency for naturalization5 years continuous lawful residence (reduced pathways available)
Language requirementRussian language proficiency (tested via state examination for most applicants)
Civics testCombined examination covering Russian language, history, and fundamentals of legislation
Processing time3—12 months (simplified procedures may be faster; standard procedure up to 12 months)
Naturalization feeRUB 3,500 (approximately EUR 35)
Dual citizenshipPermitted but subject to mandatory disclosure — failure to report is a criminal offense
Citizenship by birth in RussiaLimited jus soli (child born to stateless parents, or if parents’ state refuses citizenship)
Citizenship by descentAutomatic for children of Russian citizens (jus sanguinis)
Governing lawFederal Law No. 138-FZ “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation” (2023, replacing the 2002 law)

Dual Citizenship

Russia takes a permissive but heavily regulated approach to dual citizenship. Russian law does not require citizens to renounce foreign nationalities, but imposes strict disclosure obligations.

Constitutional basis: Article 62 of the Russian Constitution states that a Russian citizen may hold citizenship of a foreign state in accordance with federal law or international treaty. Holding a foreign citizenship does not diminish the rights or relieve the obligations of Russian citizenship.

Mandatory disclosure (critical):

Since August 2014 (Federal Law No. 142-FZ), every Russian citizen who acquires a foreign nationality, permanent residence permit, or equivalent document in a foreign state must notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) within 60 days of acquisition (or within 30 days of entering Russia if they were abroad at the time of acquisition).

Penalties for non-disclosure:

  • Criminal liability: Deliberate concealment of a foreign citizenship or residence permit is a criminal offense under Article 330.2 of the Criminal Code, punishable by a fine of up to RUB 200,000 or up to 400 hours of community service.
  • Administrative liability: Late notification (as opposed to concealment) carries a fine of RUB 500—1,000.

Practical implications: Russia does not formally restrict which citizenships a Russian citizen may hold. However, the 2023 Citizenship Law introduced provisions allowing deprivation of citizenship for naturalized citizens in cases of fraud, threat to national security, or certain serious crimes. Persons holding dual citizenship may face scrutiny in government employment, security-related positions, and military service.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth

Russia primarily applies jus sanguinis, with limited jus soli:

  • A child born in Russia acquires citizenship if at least one parent is a Russian citizen.
  • A child born in Russia to foreign parents acquires Russian citizenship only if the parents’ state does not grant the child citizenship and the child would otherwise be stateless.
  • A child born in Russia to stateless parents acquires Russian citizenship at birth.

By Descent

A child acquires Russian citizenship at birth if:

  1. Both parents are Russian citizens, regardless of where the child is born.
  2. One parent is a Russian citizen and the other is stateless, of unknown citizenship, or missing — regardless of place of birth.
  3. One parent is a Russian citizen and the other is a foreign citizen — the child acquires Russian citizenship if born in Russia, or if born abroad and would otherwise be stateless.

For children born abroad to two Russian parents, citizenship is automatic. For children born abroad to one Russian and one foreign parent, registration with a Russian consulate is recommended to document citizenship.

By Adoption

A child adopted by Russian citizens acquires Russian citizenship. If only one adoptive parent is Russian, the child acquires citizenship if the adopting couple agrees, or if the child resides in Russia. Adoption by foreign nationals of a Russian child does not automatically cause loss of Russian citizenship.

By Marriage

Marriage to a Russian citizen does not confer automatic citizenship. The foreign spouse may apply for simplified naturalization:

  • Must have been married for at least 3 years
  • Must be lawfully resident in Russia
  • The standard 5-year residency requirement is waived under the simplified procedure
  • Must pass the Russian language, history, and legislation examination
  • Must commit to observing the Russian Constitution and laws

By Naturalization

RequirementDetails
Lawful continuous residence5 years (standard procedure); waived or reduced under simplified procedures
Age18 years or older
Language, history, lawPass the state examination (exemptions for citizens of some CIS states, persons over 65/men and 60/women, and certain other categories)
Lawful source of incomeMust demonstrate legal means of financial support
Oath of citizenshipRequired since 2017
Renunciation of prior citizenshipNot required under the 2023 law (the 2002 law technically required it, but this was inconsistently enforced and has been dropped)
FeeRUB 3,500

Simplified procedures (reduced or waived residency) are available for: native Russian speakers, former USSR citizens, spouses of Russian citizens (3+ years marriage), parents of adult Russian citizens, graduates of accredited Russian universities who worked in Russia 1+ year, investors, skilled workers in designated professions, and citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Ukraine under bilateral agreements.

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary renunciation: A Russian citizen may renounce citizenship by submitting an application to the competent authority (MVD within Russia; consulate abroad). Requirements:

  • Must not have outstanding obligations to the Russian Federation (military service, tax debts, criminal liability)
  • Must hold or have guaranteed acquisition of another citizenship
  • Will not become stateless

Involuntary loss / Deprivation:

The 2023 Citizenship Law (No. 138-FZ) expanded grounds for deprivation of citizenship for naturalized citizens:

GroundDetails
FraudCitizenship obtained through false documents or deliberate concealment of material facts
Threat to national securityCommission of crimes against the state, terrorism, extremism, or espionage
Certain serious crimesSpecified offenses including terrorism, drug trafficking, and crimes against state security
Desertion or treasonFor naturalized citizens who commit acts against the Russian state

Important: Citizens who acquired Russian citizenship by birth cannot be deprived of citizenship under Russian law. Deprivation applies only to naturalized citizens and was significantly expanded by the 2023 reforms.

Restoration of Nationality

Former Russian citizens who renounced or lost citizenship may apply for restoration. Under the 2023 law:

  • The 5-year standard residency requirement applies but may be reduced to 3 years.
  • Simplified procedures may apply if the person qualifies under any of the facilitated categories (former USSR citizens, native Russian speakers, etc.).
  • Must pass the language/history/law examination (with applicable exemptions).
  • Must have a lawful source of income in Russia.

Former citizens of the USSR who did not acquire citizenship of any successor state and remain stateless may acquire Russian citizenship through a simplified procedure.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

Russia is a party to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (acceded 2011) but not to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.

  • A child born in Russia who would otherwise be stateless acquires Russian citizenship at birth.
  • A foundling discovered in Russia whose parents are unknown is considered a Russian citizen if the parents do not come forward within 6 months.
  • Stateless persons who formerly held USSR citizenship and reside in Russia may acquire citizenship through a simplified procedure without the 5-year residency requirement.

Document Checklist

  • Completed citizenship application form (Form established by MVD)
  • Valid passport or travel document (with notarized Russian translation)
  • Birth certificate (apostilled/legalized and translated into Russian)
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable, apostilled and translated)
  • Proof of lawful residence in Russia (residence permit — vid na zhitelstvo)
  • Certificate of passing the state examination (Russian language, history, fundamentals of legislation)
  • Proof of lawful source of income (employment records, tax declarations, bank statements)
  • Document confirming renunciation of foreign citizenship or proof that renunciation is not required
  • Three passport-size photos (3x4 cm)
  • Receipt of state fee payment (RUB 3,500)
  • Proof of notification of dual citizenship/foreign residence permit (if applicable)

Sources

  1. Federal Law No. 138-FZ “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation” (2023). http://www.kremlin.ru/

  2. Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) — Citizenship procedures. https://mvd.ru/

  3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Consular services for citizenship abroad. https://www.mid.ru/en/

  4. Constitution of the Russian Federation, Article 62 — Dual citizenship provisions. http://www.constitution.ru/en/

  5. Global Citizenship Observatory (GLOBALCIT) — Russia country profile. https://globalcit.eu/

  6. UNHCR — Refworld — Russia nationality law and statelessness. https://www.refworld.org/

← All Countries