Dutch and Russian dual citizenship: can you keep both

10 min read · Published 6 October 2026

The Netherlands requires you to give up your previous citizenship on naturalisation, but since 2023 a temporary practice has applied to Russian citizens: renunciation of Russian citizenship is not checked. Here is who it covers and until when.

In short

With a condition: by law the Netherlands requires renouncing the previous citizenship, but for Russian citizens the immigration service temporarily does not check renunciation, a practice in place until 30 October 2026. Spouses of Dutch citizens and people born in the country keep both passports without conditions.

Previous passport on naturalisation	Renunciation on naturalisation
Country rule	As a rule, naturalisation requires giving up your previous citizenship. There are exceptions, for example marriage to a Dutch citizen or birth in the country
Legal basis	Article 9 of the Netherlands Nationality Act (Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap)
What Russia requires	notify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
Checked	October 2026

Russia allows a second passport, so everything depends on Dutch law and the practice of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service.

What the Netherlands requires on naturalisation

Article 9 of the Dutch Nationality Act requires you to sign a commitment to give up your previous citizenship on naturalisation. After the ceremony the immigration service sends a letter, and you have 3 months to prove that a renunciation request has been filed. Renunciation is not required for spouses and registered partners of Dutch citizens on the date of the royal decree, holders of an asylum residence permit, people born in the Netherlands and living there, and children included in a parent's application.

For Russian citizens a temporary practice has applied since August 2023: the commitment is signed, but no letter demanding proof of renunciation is sent after naturalisation. It has been extended until 30 October 2026 inclusive. Those applying later need to plan renunciation through the Russian consulate or a ground for exemption in advance.

General conditions: 5 years of continuous residence with a permit, 3 years of living together for partners of Dutch citizens, and a civic integration diploma with basic Dutch. The 2026 fee is about $1,300 per person and about $1,700 for a couple. By law the decision takes up to 12 months; in 2024 the path from filing to ceremony took 182 days on average. The new coalition did not back the bill to extend the period to 10 years.

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 5 years with a residence permit without gaps between cards; on the filing date the permit must be permanent or for a non-temporary purpose.
Obtain the civic integration diploma: exams in Dutch and knowledge of the country.
Apply at the municipality and sign the commitment to give up your previous citizenship.
If you have a ground for exemption, such as marriage to a Dutch citizen, state it at filing.
Attend the ceremony and get a Dutch 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 are lawfully kept by spouses of Dutch citizens, people born in the country and children included in a parent's application. For other Russian citizens it depends on whether the temporary practice applies on the date of naturalisation.

What happens to children

A child with at least one Dutch parent gets Dutch citizenship by birth. If the other parent is a Russian citizen, the child also gets Russian citizenship and does not have to give it up.

Minor children can be included in a parent's application and do not renounce their previous citizenship. The fee for a child applying with a parent is about $190.

Taxes and military service

Taxes in the Netherlands depend on residence, not citizenship: while you live in the country you pay tax on worldwide income. There has been no double tax agreement between the Netherlands and Russia since 2022, so income from Russia may be taxed in both countries.

Conscription in the Netherlands is suspended. Russia regards a person with two passports only as its own citizen, so Russian obligations, including military registration, remain.

Common mistakes

Missing the temporary practice deadline. It applies until 30 October 2026 inclusive; after that date renunciation or exemption has to be planned.
Claiming an exemption after naturalisation. The ground for keeping your passport is stated at filing; later is too late.
Allowing a gap between residence permits. A renewal filed one day late can reset the five years.
Applying with the wrong permit. A study or temporary permit on the filing date does not qualify.
Not notifying the Russian Interior Ministry. Failing to report a second citizenship carries criminal liability.

How to get the Netherlands citizenship

Dutch citizenship is obtained after 5 years with a residence permit, after 3 years for partners of citizens, or by the simplified option procedure for those with long ties to the country. Details on the page Dutch citizenship.

Requirements, timelines and costs are on the page the Netherlands 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 your Russian passport lawfully

The law does not stop you applying for Dutch citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: filing after the temporary practice ends without a plan, an exemption claimed too late, a gap between residence permits. We count the period from card dates, check grounds for keeping your Russian passport, prepare you for the exams and documents and handle correspondence with the municipality and immigration service.

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 the Netherlands and Russian citizenship at the same time?

With a condition: by law the Netherlands requires renouncing the previous citizenship, but for Russian citizens the immigration service temporarily does not check renunciation, a practice in place until 30 October 2026. Spouses of Dutch citizens and people born in the country keep both passports without conditions.

Do I need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry about the Netherlands 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 Dutch and Russian citizenship at the same time?

By law renunciation is required on naturalisation, but for Russian citizens the immigration service temporarily does not check it: the practice applies until 30 October 2026. Spouses of citizens and people born in the country keep both passports without conditions.

Who does not have to give up their previous citizenship in the Netherlands?

Spouses and registered partners of Dutch citizens on the date of the royal decree, asylum holders, people born in the country and living there, and children in a parent's application.

How many years must you live in the Netherlands before citizenship?

5 years of continuous residence with a permit, 3 years of living together for partners of citizens.

How much does Dutch citizenship cost?

In 2026 about $1,300 per adult and about $1,700 for a couple; a child with a parent is about $190.

What language is needed for Dutch citizenship?

Basic Dutch and a civic integration diploma.

Was the period increased to 10 years?

No. The new coalition did not back the bill to extend the period to 10 years, and the 5-year period applies.

Is there a double tax agreement with Russia?

No, there has been no agreement since 2022, so income from Russia may be taxed in both countries.

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