The number of Russians who have obtained citizenship in other countries decreased in 2025

In the first 11 months of last year, 97,000 Russian citizens received a residence permit (residence permit) or citizenship in other countries — this figure decreased by 12,000 compared to 2024. This was announced on Saturday, January 3, by the press center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

"In 11 months of 2025, citizens of the Russian Federation submitted more than 97 thousand notifications on the acquisition of citizenship (citizenship) of a foreign state or obtaining a residence permit or other document confirming the right to permanent residence of a citizen of the Russian Federation on the territory of a foreign state," representatives of the department said in an interview with TASS.

They also recalled that in 2024, the number of such applications was 109 thousand. The ministry also stressed that Russians most often informed them about the acquisition of citizenship of countries such as Germany, Israel, Spain, Armenia and the United States.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation stated that a person who has received a passport or residence permit in another country is obliged to provide this information to law enforcement agencies. If this does not happen, a citizen who ignores this rule may be held liable in accordance with art. 19.8.3 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation or art. 330.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which imply a fine of 500 to 1 thousand rubles and a fine of up to 200 thousand rubles with a possible replacement for compulsory work for up to 400 hours, respectively.

For 11 months of last year, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation issued more than 290 thousand driver's licenses (driver's licenses), which were issued on the basis of foreign documents, which in turn cease to be valid in the Russian Federation a year after a foreigner receives a residence permit or citizenship of the Russian Federation, or from the date of the first entry into Russia of a citizen of the Russian Federation with a foreign license.

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