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Dual citizenship of Ireland and Russia: can you keep both passports in 2026

9 min read ·

Ireland has never required giving up a previous passport and still has no language or civics exams. But in September 2026 the government moved to extend the period to 8 years. We cover the requirements, costs and obligations towards Russia.

In short

Yes: Ireland does not require giving up a previous citizenship; the Russian passport is kept, you only need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry.

Previous passport on naturalisationKept
Country ruleNo need to give up your previous citizenship
Legal basisIrish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956
What Russia requiresnotify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
CheckedOctober 2026

The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, does not restrict dual citizenship, and Russia does not end its own either. The main questions here are which years count, whether to apply under the current rules in time, and how to get the first permission to live in the country.

What Ireland requires on naturalisation

Naturalisation requires 5 years of reckonable residence, 1,825 days, within the last 9 years. The final year before applying must be continuous, with no more than 70 days abroad. Days are counted by immigration permissions, not passport stamps, and not all permissions count: years of study, for example, do not. Spouses of Irish citizens need 3 years of residence within the last 5, with at least 3 years of marriage.

There is no language exam or civics test in 2026. The application costs 175 euros, about $200, and is not refunded; the certificate after approval is 950 euros, about $1,070. The median decision time in 2024-2025 was about 8 months.

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

  1. Get a work permit or family status: study does not build time towards citizenship.
  2. Renew permissions without gaps: days between an old and a new card do not count.
  3. Spend the final year in Ireland, with no more than 70 days abroad.
  4. Collect evidence: 150 points for identity and for each year of residence - statements, leases, tax certificates.
  5. Apply online, pay for the certificate after approval and attend the ceremony.
  6. Notify the Russian Interior Ministry within 60 days of receiving the passport, or within 60 days of entering Russia if you are abroad.

On 9 September 2026 the government approved the general scheme of a bill that will raise the period to 8 years and introduce language and civics tests. Until it becomes law, 5 years and the rules on the date of application apply, so those whose time is coming up should not wait.

What happens to children

A child born in Ireland is an Irish citizen by birth if one parent is an Irish citizen or lived lawfully on the island for 3 of the 4 years before the birth. Otherwise an application can be made for the child after 3 years of living in the country; the child's certificate costs about $225. Russian citizenship for the child is arranged through the consulate; there is no need to choose.

Taxes and military service

Five years in the country means five years of Irish tax residence: income tax at 20% and 40% plus the universal social charge. The double tax treaty with Russia has been partly suspended since August 2023 by Decree No. 585, so income from Russia may be taxed twice.

Ireland has no conscription. Russian military service obligations remain for a Russian citizen.

Common mistakes

  • Counting years of study. Time on a student permission does not count towards citizenship.
  • Allowing a gap between permissions. Even weeks without a valid card drop out of the period.
  • Spending more than 70 days abroad in the final year before applying.
  • Missing the notification to the Russian Interior Ministry. The deadline is 60 days after obtaining Irish citizenship, and failure carries criminal liability.

How to get Ireland citizenship

For Russian and Belarusian citizens the startup founder residence programme has been closed by order of the Minister for Justice. The real route is a work permit, above all for critical skills: after 21 months the holder moves to a status not tied to an employer, and all those years count.

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

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

An Irish passport under the current rules, before 8 years arrive

The law does not stop you from applying for Irish citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than fees: years that do not count, a gap between permissions, extra days abroad and a missed notification to the Russian Interior Ministry. We count reckonable days, gather evidence for the points system and apply while 5 years still apply.

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

Get a support quote

This topic in other countries

Dual citizenship rules with Russia in other countries:

More on this country:

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

FAQ

Can you hold Ireland and Russian citizenship at the same time?
Yes: Ireland does not require giving up a previous citizenship; the Russian passport is kept, you only need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry.
Do I need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry about Ireland 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.
Is dual citizenship allowed in Ireland?
Yes. Ireland does not require giving up a previous citizenship; the Russian passport is kept.
How many years must you live in Ireland before citizenship?
5 years of reckonable residence within the last 9, the final year continuous. Spouses of Irish citizens need 3 years. A 2026 bill proposes 8 years.
How much does Irish citizenship cost?
About $1,300 per adult: the application is 175 euros, about $200, and the certificate after approval 950 euros, about $1,070.
Is an English exam needed for Irish citizenship?
Not in 2026. A bill approved by the government on 9 September 2026 plans to introduce language and civics tests.
Can Russian citizens move to Ireland?
Yes, through a work permit or family. Only the startup founder programme is closed: it does not accept applications from Russian and Belarusian citizens.
Do you have to tell the Russian Interior Ministry about Irish citizenship?
Yes, within 60 days of obtaining citizenship, through a consulate or the Interior Ministry at your place of residence in Russia.

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