Austria and Russia dual citizenship: can you keep both

10 min read · Published 6 October 2026

Austria requires you to give up your previous citizenship on naturalisation, and exceptions are rare. Here is how renouncing Russian citizenship works under the Austrian procedure and who keeps both passports.

In short

As a rule, no: Austria requires renouncing Russian citizenship on naturalisation, allowing 2 years after a preliminary decision. Both passports are kept only in rare exceptions, such as descendants of victims of National Socialism and those specially permitted.

Previous passport on naturalisation	Renunciation on naturalisation
Country rule	Naturalisation requires giving up your previous citizenship. The exception is citizenship for special merit to Austria, including economic merit
Legal basis	§ 10 of the Austrian Citizenship Act (StbG)
What Russia requires	notify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
Checked	October 2026

Russia allows a second passport, so the restriction here is Austrian. The Austrian procedure is designed so the applicant is not left stateless: first a promise, then renunciation, then the final decision.

What Austria requires on naturalisation

Section 10 of the Austrian Citizenship Act requires renouncing the previous citizenship. The exceptions are descendants of victims of National Socialism and citizenship for special services to Austria, including economic ones, granted by government decision.

The general route is 10 years of continuous lawful residence, at least 5 of them with settlement status. An accelerated route after 6 years is open with upper-intermediate German or special integration, such as three years of volunteering, and to spouses of Austrian citizens after 5 years of marriage. You need at least intermediate German, an exam on Austria's institutions and history, and a stable income: on average over 36 months within the last 6 years, at least the social minimum after rent. State fees for the whole path are about $3,300 per adult at the upper end, and federal state charges vary.

A reform with a higher language level has been announced, but as of the end of September 2026 there is no bill, and the existing rules apply.

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

Live in Austria for the required period: 10 years, 5 of them with settlement status, or 6 years on the accelerated route.
Pass German and the civics exam, and prepare income documents for 36 months.
Apply to the authority of the federal state where you live.
Receive the preliminary decision granting citizenship: after it you have 2 years to renounce your previous citizenship.
Renounce Russian citizenship through the Russian consulate, attaching the Austrian preliminary decision, and wait for the decree.
Bring the renunciation document, receive the final decision, take the oath and get a passport.
Notify the Russian Interior Ministry within 60 days of receiving the passport, or within 60 days of entering Russia if you are abroad.

Both passports cannot be kept on ordinary naturalisation. If renunciation is delayed, the Austrian authority is informed in good time: that is what the two-year period is for.

What happens to children

Minor children are included in their parents' application if they live lawfully in Austria, and renunciation of the previous citizenship is arranged for them too. Children born after a parent's naturalisation get Austrian citizenship at birth.

A child with one Austrian parent and one Russian parent gets both citizenships by birth. Austrian law does not require giving up one of them on reaching adulthood.

Taxes and military service

Tax residence in Austria depends not on citizenship but on housing and the centre of vital interests. Residents pay income tax of 0-55% on worldwide income, and capital income is taxed at 27.5%. The double tax agreement with Russia has barely worked since December 2023.

Austria has compulsory military or alternative service for male citizens, and new citizens of draft age are also covered. Until renunciation of Russian citizenship is completed, the obligations of a Russian citizen remain.

Common mistakes

Renouncing Russian citizenship before the preliminary decision. Austria first promises citizenship, and only then is renunciation arranged.
Missing the 2 years. The consular procedure takes months, so documents are prepared right after the decision.
Breaking the residence period. Time on a visa does not count, and long absences break continuity.
Failing the income threshold. Income over 36 months is counted after rent and loans.
Hiding a second passport. Keeping the previous citizenship without permission is grounds for losing Austrian citizenship.

How to get Austria citizenship

Austrian citizenship is obtained after 10 years of lawful residence or on the accelerated route after 6 years, with German, an exam, income and renunciation of the previous citizenship. For those who want to keep a Russian passport, it is wiser to stay with residence or look at Germany, which allows dual citizenship. Details on the page Austrian citizenship.

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

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

Complete renunciation on time

The law does not stop you applying for Austrian citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: renouncing Russian citizenship before the preliminary decision, a missed two-year deadline, a break in residence, income below the threshold after rent. We work out the period and income in advance, prepare you for the exam and the documents, and arrange renunciation so you are never left without a passport.

The cost of support depends on the basis and the family; a consultant will calculate it in the chat.

Talk to a consultant now

This topic in other countries

Dual citizenship rules with Russia in other countries:

FAQ

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

As a rule, no: Austria requires renouncing Russian citizenship on naturalisation, allowing 2 years after a preliminary decision. Both passports are kept only in rare exceptions, such as descendants of victims of National Socialism and those specially permitted.

Do I need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry about Austria 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.

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

As a rule, no: on naturalisation Austria requires renouncing Russian citizenship. Exceptions are rare, for example for descendants of victims of National Socialism.

How long do you get to renounce Russian citizenship?

2 years after the preliminary decision granting Austrian citizenship.

How many years must you live in Austria before citizenship?

10 years of lawful residence, 5 of them with settlement status. Accelerated: 6 years with upper-intermediate German, special integration or marriage to a citizen.

How much does Austrian citizenship cost?

State fees for the whole path are about $3,300 per adult at the upper end, and federal state charges vary.

What German is needed for Austrian citizenship?

At least intermediate, upper-intermediate for the 6-year route, plus an exam on the country's institutions and history.

Will a child get both citizenships?

Yes, if one parent is Austrian and the other a Russian citizen: the child gets both citizenships by birth.

Are there nearby countries where both passports are kept?

Yes, Germany has allowed dual citizenship since June 2024 and grants the passport after 5 years.

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