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

9 min read · Published 6 October 2026

Panama's Constitution requires a naturalising foreigner to renounce their previous citizenship in writing. For Russia such a statement changes nothing, but for Panama you become a Panamanian citizen only. Children born in the country hold both citizenships from birth.

In short

With a condition. On naturalisation, Article 10(1) of Panama's Constitution requires a written renunciation of the previous citizenship. Russian citizenship does not end with that statement, but for Panama you are its citizen and nothing else.

Previous passport on naturalisation	Renunciation on naturalisation
Country rule	Naturalisation requires a written renunciation of your previous citizenship
Legal basis	Article 10(1) of the Constitution of Panama
What Russia requires	notify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
Checked	October 2026

Russia allows a second citizenship, while Panama requires renunciation of the previous one on naturalisation. One important detail: Panama accepts a written renunciation and does not require proof that the other country has released you. Russian citizenship ends only through the Russian procedure, so under Russian law the person remains a Russian citizen.

What Panama requires on naturalisation

Article 10(1) of Panama's Constitution allows a foreigner to naturalise after 5 consecutive years of residence following permanent residence, an express written renunciation of the citizenship of origin, command of Spanish and basic knowledge of Panama's geography, history and political organisation. If a spouse or children are Panamanian citizens, the period is 3 years. Nationals of Spain and Latin American countries naturalise on reciprocal terms.

Knowledge is tested by an exam, and the naturalisation decision is issued by the executive after reviewing the file. Law 493 of 28 October 2025 allowed a special passport for investors with permanent residence, but it is not citizenship: it is valid only while the residence is, and it does not replace the passport of the country of origin.

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

Enter visa-free - Russian citizens need no visa for up to 90 days within 180.
Get permanent residence through a Panamanian lawyer: as a retiree with a pension from $1,000 a month or as a qualified investor with new property from $300,000.
Live there 5 consecutive years with permanent residence, or 3 years with a Panamanian spouse or children.
Pass the exam in Spanish, geography, history and Panama's political organisation.
Sign the renunciation of your previous citizenship as part of the Panamanian procedure and receive the naturalisation decision.
Notify Russia's Interior Ministry of Panamanian citizenship within 60 days: for Russia you remain its citizen.
Notify the Russian Interior Ministry within 60 days of receiving the passport, or within 60 days of entering Russia if you are abroad.

Russia's Interior Ministry must also be notified of a Panamanian residence permit within 60 days of receiving it. Russia does not treat the Panamanian renunciation as leaving its citizenship, so all duties of a Russian citizen, including notifications, remain.

What happens to children

A child born in Panama is a Panamanian citizen by birth under Article 9 of the Constitution, whatever the parents' status, and with Russian parents usually a Russian citizen too. Panamanian citizenship by birth is not lost, so such a child lawfully holds two passports. More on our page on Panamanian citizenship by birth.

Taxes and military service

Panama taxes only Panamanian-source income: foreign salaries, dividends and pensions are not taxed, and income tax on local income runs from 0 to 25%. There is no double tax treaty between Russia and Panama. More on our page on taxes in Panama.

Panama has had no army since 1990 and no conscription. A Russian citizen's military obligation remains, since Russian citizenship continues.

Common mistakes

Treating the investor's special passport as citizenship. It is valid only while permanent residence is.
Not living there 5 consecutive years. The clock starts with the permanent residence decision, not the first entry.
Using a Russian passport in dealings with Panama after naturalisation: you undertook to renounce it.
Missing the Russian Interior Ministry notices of permanent residence and Panamanian citizenship: the deadline is 60 days.
Counting on the simplified route for friendly nations. Russia is not on Panama's list.

How to get Panama citizenship

The route to a passport starts with permanent residence, which retirees and investors receive straight away. Options and thresholds are on our page on Panama residence by investment; after that come 5 years of residence, the exam and naturalisation.

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

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 a mistake at the residence stage that starts the 5-year clock

The law does not stop you applying for Panamanian citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than fees: the wrong residence ground, which sets the timeline, gaps in residence, an exam taken unprepared, missed Russian Interior Ministry notices. We obtain permanent residence through partner lawyers, track deadlines and residence documents and prepare the naturalisation file, explaining in advance how Panama's renunciation rule fits with Russian law.

The cost of support depends on the stage 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 Panama and Russian citizenship at the same time?

With a condition. On naturalisation, Article 10(1) of Panama's Constitution requires a written renunciation of the previous citizenship. Russian citizenship does not end with that statement, but for Panama you are its citizen and nothing else.

Do I need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry about Panama 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 Panama allow dual citizenship?

For citizens by birth, yes: Panamanian citizenship by birth is never lost. Naturalisation requires a written renunciation of the previous citizenship.

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

For Panama a naturalised citizen has renounced their previous citizenship. For Russia a renunciation signed in Panama changes nothing: Russian citizenship ends only through the Russian procedure.

How many years until you can get Panamanian citizenship?

5 consecutive years after permanent residence, or 3 years with a Panamanian spouse or children. You need an exam in Spanish, history and geography.

Does Panama's investor passport give citizenship?

No. The special passport under Law 493 of 28 October 2025 is valid while permanent residence is and does not replace the passport of the country of origin.

Does a child born in Panama get citizenship?

Yes, under Article 9 of the Constitution, whatever the parents' status. With Russian parents the child holds both citizenships.

Do you pay tax in Panama on income from Russia?

No, Panama taxes only Panamanian-source income. Russia still taxes its tax residents, so it matters where you spend more than 183 days a year.

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.

The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.

Free consultation

Or message us on Telegram →

FreeConfidentialInstant reply

Programs

Programs in Panama

Digital nomad