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

9 min read ·

Britain allows dual citizenship, but the route to a passport runs through indefinite leave to remain, whose qualifying period may double. We cover requirements, costs and duties towards Russia.

In short

Yes: the UK does not require you to give up your previous citizenship, so the Russian passport is kept; you only need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry.

Country ruleNo need to give up your previous citizenship
Legal basisBritish Nationality Act 1981
What Russia requiresnotify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
CheckedOctober 2026

The British Nationality Act 1981 does not restrict dual citizenship, and Russia does not end its own either. The main questions are different: how to get indefinite leave to remain, what it costs and what the promised settlement reform will change.

What the United Kingdom requires on naturalisation

Naturalisation requires at least 5 years of living in the UK, no more than 450 days abroad in 5 years and 90 days in the last 12 months, and indefinite leave to remain held for at least 12 months. Spouses of British citizens need 3 years and do not have to wait 12 months after indefinite leave. You must prove intermediate English and pass the Life in the UK test, which costs £50 and does not expire.

Since 8 April 2026 the naturalisation application costs £1,709 and the ceremony £130, about $2,500 in total. Indefinite leave to remain costs £3,226 per person, so government fees alone from indefinite leave to passport come to about $6,700 per adult. Processing takes about 6 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 indefinite leave to remain on a work, talent, family or other qualifying route.
  2. Wait 12 months with indefinite leave unless you are married to a British citizen.
  3. Pass the Life in the UK test and prove English.
  4. Check absences: no more than 450 days in 5 years and 90 days in the last year.
  5. Apply and attend the ceremony, then get a British passport.
  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 Home Office is preparing a reform that would raise the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave from 5 to 10 years. In 2026 the new rules have not been adopted, but applications follow the rules in force on the filing date, so those close to the threshold should not delay. More in the article UK settlement after 10 years.

What happens to children

A child born in the UK is British by birth if at least one parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain; otherwise the child can be registered later, for example when a parent gets settled status. Russian citizenship is arranged through the consulate, and neither has to be given up.

Taxes and military service

Tax residence is determined by the statutory test based on days and ties to the country. Since 6 April 2025 the non-domicile regime has been abolished: new residents can avoid tax on foreign income and gains for 4 years and then pay tax on worldwide income. Russia suspended the double tax treaty with the UK in August 2023.

The UK has no conscription. A Russian citizen's Russian military duty remains.

Common mistakes

  • Exceeding the absence limit. More than 450 days in 5 years or 90 days in the last year leads to refusal.
  • Applying before 12 months with indefinite leave unless you are married to a British citizen.
  • Delaying the indefinite leave application. The reform may lengthen the period for those applying after it takes effect.
  • Missing the Russian Interior Ministry notification. The deadline is 60 days from receiving British citizenship, and failure carries criminal liability.

How to get British citizenship

The route to a passport runs through a visa leading to indefinite leave to remain: skilled worker, talent, innovator founder or family. Then 12 months with settled status and naturalisation.

Requirements, timelines and costs are on the page British 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 British passport without refusals or extra years

The law does not stop you from applying for British citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than fees: extra days abroad, applying before 12 months with indefinite leave and a missed notification to the Russian Interior Ministry. We count absences and deadlines, prepare the file and track the reform so you apply under the better rules.

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 British and Russian citizenship at the same time?
Yes: the UK does not require you to give up your previous citizenship, so the Russian passport is kept; you only need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry.
Do I need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry about British 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.
Do I need to give up Russian citizenship to become British?
No. The UK does not require you to give up your previous citizenship, and the Russian passport is kept.
How many years must I live in the UK to get citizenship?
At least 5 years plus 12 months with indefinite leave to remain; 3 years for spouses of British citizens.
How much does British citizenship cost?
The application is £1,709 and the ceremony £130, about $2,500 in total. With indefinite leave to remain, government fees come to about $6,700 per adult.
Will a child have dual British and Russian citizenship?
Yes, if the child is British by birth or registered later and Russian citizenship is arranged through the consulate.
Is it true the UK qualifying period for settlement will rise to 10 years?
Such a reform is being prepared, but in 2026 the rules have not been adopted. Applications follow the rules in force on the filing date.

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