Georgia dual citizenship with Russia: can you keep both passports in 2026

11 min read · Published 6 October 2026

Georgia recognises a single citizenship: a naturalisation decree takes effect only after you renounce Russian citizenship. Only those granted citizenship by way of exception keep both passports. We cover the routes, timelines, children, the army and taxes.

In short

As a rule, no: a Georgian citizenship decree takes effect only once proof of renouncing Russian citizenship is received. Both passports can be kept only with citizenship granted by way of exception by the President of Georgia.

Previous passport on naturalisation	Renunciation on naturalisation
Country rule	The citizenship decree takes effect only once proof of renouncing the previous citizenship is received. Both passports can be kept only with citizenship granted by way of exception by the President
Legal basis	Articles 3, 15 and 17 of the Organic Law of Georgia on Georgian Citizenship
What Russia requires	notify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
Checked	October 2026

Russia allows a second citizenship and does not end its own, so Georgian law decides. It starts from a single citizenship for Georgian citizens and allows a second one only in cases the law names directly.

What Georgia requires on naturalisation

Article 3 of the 2014 Organic Law of Georgia on Georgian Citizenship establishes a single citizenship. Ordinary naturalisation under Article 12 requires the last 10 consecutive years of lawful residence in Georgia, exams in the Georgian language, history and basic law, and a job, property, business or a share in a Georgian company. Spouses of Georgian citizens need 5 years of lawful residence and the same exams under Article 14.

The key rule for Russian citizens is Article 15: a presidential decree granting citizenship to a foreigner takes effect only when the Georgian authorities receive proof of renouncing the previous citizenship. Until then the decree does not operate, and the person remains a foreigner.

There is one exception, Article 17. The President may grant citizenship by way of exception for exceptional merit to Georgia or based on state interests: major investment, achievements in sport, science or culture, ties with the diaspora. Such citizens keep their previous passport, and the rule on losing Georgian citizenship does not apply to them.

By law applications are decided within 3 months. Citizenship can be refused even when all conditions are met if granting it is contrary to Georgia's security interests, including links with the armed forces of a state threatening its defence.

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 the route. If you have merits or a project of interest to Georgia, first assess your chances of citizenship by way of exception: only that keeps the Russian passport.
For ordinary naturalisation, build up residence. You need 10 consecutive years of lawful residence, or 5 years for spouses of Georgian citizens; visa-free stays do not count towards citizenship, you need a residence permit.
Pass the exams in the Georgian language, history and basic law and prepare evidence of a job, property or business in Georgia.
Wait for the presidential decree and only then apply to renounce Russian citizenship, so you are never left without a passport.
Renounce Russian citizenship through a consulate. In Tbilisi Russian consular matters are handled by the interests section at the Swiss embassy; a decision takes up to 6 months, and renunciation is refused with unpaid taxes, fines, enforcement proceedings or a criminal case.
Hand the renunciation document to the Georgian authority: from that day the decree takes effect and you receive a Georgian passport.
Notify the Russian Interior Ministry within 60 days of receiving the passport, or within 60 days of entering Russia if you are abroad.

If you were granted citizenship by way of exception, renouncing Russian citizenship is not needed, but you must notify the Russian Interior Ministry within the same 60 days.

What happens to children

A child with a Georgian citizen parent at birth acquires Georgian citizenship by birth, and with the other parent a Russian citizen usually Russian citizenship too. The law lets such a child hold both until 18. But if the parents do not apply to retain Georgian citizenship before the child comes of age, it ends. A child of a naturalised parent can obtain Georgian citizenship under Article 13, and the renunciation conditions for the child are checked before filing.

Taxes and military service

Taxes depend on residence, not on your passport. A Georgian tax resident pays a flat 20% income tax, and an individual entrepreneur with small business status pays 1% of turnover up to 500,000 lari a year. There is no double taxation treaty in force between Russia and Georgia, so a Russian tax resident cannot credit Georgian tax.

Under the 2023 Defence Code, male citizens aged 18 to 27 are subject to compulsory service in Georgia for 12 months, with conscripts chosen by lot. The military duty of a Russian citizen remains until you renounce Russian citizenship.

Common mistakes

Renouncing Russian citizenship before the Georgian presidential decree. If no decree follows, you are left stateless.
Counting visa-free years as residence. Naturalisation needs 10 years of lawful residence on a permit, not visa-free trips.
Forgetting a child before 18. Without an application to retain it, the Georgian citizenship of a child with two passports ends at majority.
Applying to renounce with debts in Russia. Unpaid taxes, fines and enforcement proceedings block renunciation.
Missing the Russian Interior Ministry notification with citizenship by way of exception: the deadline is 60 days, and failing to notify is a criminal offence.

How to get Georgian citizenship

The ordinary route is a residence permit, 10 years of lawful residence, exams and renouncing Russian citizenship. Spouses of Georgian citizens need 5 years. People with repatriate status receive citizenship by a simplified procedure without the general requirements. The only route without renouncing Russian citizenship is citizenship by way of exception by presidential decision, and the application needs evidence of merit or state interest.

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

The main risk is ending up with neither passport

The law does not stop you applying for Georgian citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than fees: renouncing Russian citizenship before the presidential decree, residence without a permit, a forgotten application to retain a child's citizenship and a missed notification to the Russian Interior Ministry. We assess your chances of citizenship by way of exception, prepare the documents for the Georgian authority and plan the Russian renunciation so there is no gap. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process.

The cost of support depends on the route and family size; our consultant in the chat will calculate it.

Talk to a consultant now

This topic in other countries

Dual citizenship rules with Russia in other countries:

FAQ

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

As a rule, no: a Georgian citizenship decree takes effect only once proof of renouncing Russian citizenship is received. Both passports can be kept only with citizenship granted by way of exception by the President of Georgia.

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

Does Georgia allow dual citizenship?

Only in cases named by law: citizenship by way of exception by presidential decision, and with state consent for Georgian citizens. Ordinary naturalisation requires renouncing the previous citizenship.

Do I have to renounce Russian citizenship to become Georgian?

With ordinary naturalisation, yes: the citizenship decree takes effect only after proof of renouncing Russian citizenship.

How can a Russian get dual Georgian citizenship?

Through citizenship by way of exception: the President grants it for exceptional merit or in the state's interest, and the previous passport is kept.

How many years must you live in Georgia before citizenship?

10 consecutive years of lawful residence, or 5 years for spouses of Georgian citizens, plus exams in the language, history and basic law.

Will a child have Georgian and Russian citizenship?

Yes, if one parent is a Georgian citizen. Both are kept until 18, and to keep the Georgian one, an application to retain it is filed before the child comes of age.

Is there compulsory military service in Georgia?

Yes, male citizens aged 18 to 27 serve 12 months, with conscripts chosen by lot.

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Georgia dual citizenship with Russia: can you keep both passports in 2026

What Georgia 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 Georgian citizenship

This topic in other countries

FAQ

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

Programs in Georgia

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