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

9 min read ·

Switzerland has allowed dual citizenship since 1992, but its road to a passport is one of the longest in Europe: 10 years of residence and three levels of decisions. We cover the requirements, costs, military service and obligations towards Russia.

In short

Yes: since 1992 Switzerland has not required giving up a previous citizenship; the Russian passport is kept, you only need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry.

Previous passport on naturalisationKept
Country ruleDual citizenship has been allowed since 1992
Legal basisSwiss Citizenship Act (BüG)
What Russia requiresnotify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
CheckedOctober 2026

The Swiss Citizenship Act in force since 1 January 2018 does not restrict dual citizenship, and Russia does not end its own either. The difficulty lies elsewhere: the passport is granted by the commune, the canton and the Confederation, and each level has its own periods, fees and checks.

What Switzerland requires on naturalisation

Ordinary naturalisation requires 10 years of residence in Switzerland and a category C settlement permit. Years with B and C permits count, years between ages 8 and 18 count double, but you must actually live in the country for at least 6 years. Three of the 10 years must fall within the 5 years before applying. Cantons also require 2 to 5 years of residence in the canton and commune.

The language is one of the canton's national languages: speaking at B1 and writing at A2. You must show integration and not have received social assistance for 3 years before applying. The federal fee is 100 francs, about $121, per adult, plus canton and commune fees, which are usually considerably higher. The federal decision takes about 8 months after a complete file.

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 B permit through work, business or financial independence and renew it without gaps.
  2. Move to a C permit: ordinary naturalisation is impossible without it.
  3. Do not move between cantons before applying: the local period starts again.
  4. Pass the canton's language: speaking B1, writing A2.
  5. Apply to the commune and canton, receive the federal approval and go through the canton's final decision.
  6. Notify the Russian Interior Ministry within 60 days of receiving the passport, or within 60 days of entering Russia if you are abroad.

The spouse of a Swiss citizen applies for facilitated naturalisation after 3 years of marriage if they have lived in the country for 5 years, including the last year. A spouse living abroad applies after 6 years of marriage with close ties to Switzerland. The fee for the facilitated procedure is 500 francs, about $602.

What happens to children

Birth in Switzerland does not confer citizenship: the country applies only descent. A child of a Swiss citizen is Swiss from birth. Children under 18 are included in their parents' application without a separate federal fee, and there is a facilitated procedure for the third generation of foreigners born in the country. Russian citizenship for the child is arranged through the consulate.

Taxes and military service

Taxes depend on residence, not on the passport: a resident pays federal, cantonal and communal taxes, and citizenship does not change the burden. The double tax treaty with Russia has been partly suspended since August 2023 by Decree No. 585.

Switzerland has universal military service for men. Those who become citizens at 18-24 do military service; those naturalised later do not join the army but pay the military service exemption tax until 37: 3% of taxable income, at least 400 francs, about $490, a year. Russian military service obligations remain for a Russian citizen.

Common mistakes

  • Applying without a C permit. Ordinary naturalisation is impossible with a B permit.
  • Moving to another canton shortly before applying: the local period resets.
  • Receiving social assistance in the last 3 years: it means refusal until the assistance is repaid.
  • Missing the notification to the Russian Interior Ministry. The deadline is 60 days after obtaining Swiss citizenship, and failure carries criminal liability.

How to get Switzerland citizenship

The route to the passport runs through a B permit: an employment contract, a business that benefits the canton, or financial independence with lump-sum taxation based on spending. Switzerland has no citizenship by investment: money only gives the right to live there, and the passport comes after 10 years.

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

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

A Swiss passport after 10 years, with no reset clocks

The law does not stop you from applying for Swiss citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than fees: applying without a C permit, moving canton before the application, a missed notification to the Russian Interior Ministry. We count the federal and local periods, choose the language exam, prepare the file to your canton's rules and follow the procedure to a decision.

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 Switzerland and Russian citizenship at the same time?
Yes: since 1992 Switzerland has not required 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 Switzerland 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 Switzerland?
Yes, since 1992. Switzerland does not require giving up a previous citizenship; the Russian passport is kept.
How many years must you live in Switzerland before citizenship?
10 years, with a category C settlement permit at the time of applying, 3 of them within the last 5 years. Plus 2-5 years in the canton and commune.
How much does Swiss citizenship cost?
The federal fee is 100 francs, about $121, per adult. Canton and commune fees are set by each canton and are usually considerably higher than the federal part.
Do you have to do military service after getting Swiss citizenship?
Men who become citizens at 18-24 do military service. Those naturalised later pay the exemption tax - 3% of taxable income, at least 400 francs a year - until 37.
Can you get Swiss citizenship by investment?
No. Money and property only give the right to live in the country; the passport comes after 10 years of residence.
Do you have to tell the Russian Interior Ministry about Swiss 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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