Armenia and Russia dual citizenship: can you keep both passports in 2026

9 min read · Published 6 October 2026

Armenia allows dual citizenship, so there is no need to give up a Russian passport. We explain who gets an Armenian passport and how, what happens with the army and children, and which notification Russia expects.

In short

Yes: Armenia has allowed dual citizenship since 2007, and a Russian passport is kept when you receive an Armenian one; you only need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry.

Previous passport on naturalisation	Kept
Country rule	Dual citizenship has been allowed since 2007
Legal basis	Article 13.1 of the Law of Armenia on Citizenship
What Russia requires	notify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
Checked	October 2026

Russia does not prohibit a second citizenship, and neither does Armenia, so the question is not whether you can, but on which ground you get an Armenian passport and which duties come with it.

What Armenia requires on naturalisation

Dual citizenship in Armenia is permitted by the 2005 constitutional amendments and Article 13.1 of the Law on Citizenship, in force since 2007. Armenia does not require new citizens to give up their previous citizenship, and Armenians who take a second passport keep their own.

Ordinary naturalisation is open from age 18 after 3 years of legal residence in Armenia: you must be able to communicate in Armenian and pass a test on the Constitution. Ethnic Armenians apply without a residence requirement and without a language test, and spouses of Armenian citizens after 2 years of marriage, with the Constitution test. Applications are reviewed within 90 working days, the decision is a presidential decree, and the fee is 50,000 drams, about $140.

What Russia requires

Russia allows a second citizenship and does not end its own, but inside the country treats you only as a Russian citizen (Article 10 of Federal Law No. 138-FZ on Citizenship).

Within 60 days of receiving the second passport, file a notification with the Interior Ministry (MVD). If you are abroad at that moment, the period runs from the day you enter Russia.
Attach a copy of the foreign passport or another document proving the citizenship.

Failure to notify falls under Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code: a fine of up to $2,400 or up to one year of income, or up to 400 hours of compulsory work.
Late or incomplete notification: a fine of $10-15 under Article 19.8.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences.
A residence permit abroad must be reported under the same rules (Article 11 of Law No. 138-FZ).

A Russian citizen with a second passport may not hold state or municipal office, serve in government bodies or stand for election. The duties of a Russian citizen, including military service, remain, and inside Russia the second passport is not taken into account.

How to keep both passports: step by step

Choose your ground. Check whether you qualify for the simplified route through Armenian ancestry or marriage: it is faster and does not require living in the country.
Get a residence permit if you go through naturalisation: a one-year temporary permit costs 105,000 drams, about $300, and starts the count of legal residence.
Prepare documents: a notarised Armenian translation of your passport, ancestry or marriage documents with an apostille, photos and the fee receipt.
Apply and take the test on the Constitution, plus an Armenian language check for naturalisation; the review takes up to 90 working days.
Take the oath and receive the passport after the presidential decree. You do not hand in your Russian passport.
Notify the Russian Interior Ministry within 60 days of receiving the passport, or within 60 days of entering Russia if you are abroad.

Armenia is preparing amendments: under the draft, from 1 January 2028 naturalisation will require 5 years of residence and at least 915 days in the country, ethnic Armenians will need 2 years of legal residence and at least 366 days in the country, and the fee will rise to 250,000 drams, about $700. If you already qualify, it is better to apply sooner.

What happens to children

A child with at least one Armenian parent acquires Armenian citizenship by birth, and Russian citizenship too if the other parent is Russian. The child does not need to give up either. Children under 18 are included in a parent's naturalisation application. For boys it is worth thinking about the army in advance: Armenian conscription applies to citizens up to 27, so a growing son's trips to Armenia should be planned with this in mind.

Taxes and military service

A passport alone does not make you a tax resident: residence depends on days in the country and the centre of vital interests. Armenian income tax is 20%, and the zero-rate IT regime is closed. The double tax treaty between Russia and Armenia is in force and has not been suspended.

The army is the main issue for men: Armenian citizens under 27 can be called up for conscript service after receiving the passport. Exemption is possible if the person has already served in another country's army, so prepare service documents before applying for citizenship.

Common mistakes

Living in Armenia without a residence permit. Only legal residence counts towards naturalisation, so get the permit straight away, not years later.
Not preparing for the Constitution and Armenian tests. Naturalisation is impossible without them, and preparation takes months.
Forgetting about a son's military service. Men under 27 can be called up after receiving citizenship, so settle this before applying.
Missing the Russian Interior Ministry notification. The deadline is 60 days from receiving the Armenian passport, and failure carries criminal liability.
Postponing the application. Under the draft amendments, timelines and fees rise from 2028.

How to get Armenian citizenship

The fastest route is Armenian ancestry: no residence or language, but a document of the applicant, a parent or a grandparent proving the origin. Everyone else goes through a residence permit and 3 years of legal residence. Spouses of Armenian citizens need 2 years of marriage.

Requirements, timelines and costs are on the page Armenian citizenship.

You can check any pair of countries with the dual citizenship checker and compare all countries in the overview dual citizenship in 2026.

Keep both passports and get the timelines right

The law does not stop you from getting an Armenian passport on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: years without the right status that do not count, an unprepared test and a missed notification to the Russian Interior Ministry. We choose the ground, arrange the residence permit, prepare documents and translations and handle the application up to the oath.

Our consultant in the chat will calculate the cost of support.

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This topic in other countries

Dual citizenship rules with Russia in other countries:

FAQ

Can you hold Armenian and Russian citizenship at the same time?

Yes: Armenia has allowed dual citizenship since 2007, and a Russian passport is kept when you receive an Armenian one; you only need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry.

Do I need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry about Armenian citizenship?

Yes. A Russian citizen notifies the Interior Ministry of a second citizenship within 60 days under Article 10 of Law No. 138-FZ; failing to notify carries criminal liability under Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code.

How many years must I live in Armenia to get citizenship?

3 years of legal residence for ordinary naturalisation. Ethnic Armenians need no residence, and spouses of Armenian citizens need 2 years of marriage.

Do I need to speak Armenian for citizenship?

For naturalisation, yes, enough to communicate, plus a test on the Constitution. Ethnic Armenians apply without a language test.

Will I be drafted after getting Armenian citizenship?

Men under 27 can be called up for conscript service. Exemption is possible if you have already served in another country's army.

Will a child have dual Armenian and Russian citizenship?

Yes, if one parent is Armenian and the other Russian: the child acquires both citizenships by birth and does not need to renounce either.

How much does Armenian citizenship cost?

The fee is 50,000 drams, about $140, and a one-year temporary residence permit costs 105,000 drams, about $300, plus translations and certificates.

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Armenia and Russia dual citizenship: can you keep both passports in 2026

What Armenia requires on naturalisation

What Russia requires

How to keep both passports: step by step

What happens to children

Taxes and military service

Common mistakes

How to get Armenian citizenship

This topic in other countries

FAQ

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

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