Russia raises cost of renouncing citizenship abroad more than ninefold

Russia has sharply increased the cost of renouncing its citizenship abroad, with new consular fees rising more than ninefold from August 1, 2026, according to a government resolution cited by media outlets.

Under the new rules, Russian nationals applying to give up their citizenship outside the country must pay a consular fee of $1,200, up from $130. The issuance of the corresponding certificate now costs $600, compared with the previous $65.

Applicants are also required to reimburse the actual expenses incurred by consulates. As a result, the total cost of renouncing Russian citizenship can reach $2,640 in the European Union and the United States, and about $1,560 in Kazakhstan, according to The Bell.

The increase makes the procedure significantly more expensive than in several other developed countries, Frank Media reported. By comparison, the U.S. charges a $450 consular fee for issuing a certificate of loss of nationality, down from $2,350 before April. In Italy, fees for renouncing citizenship do not exceed 300 euros, while in Germany the procedure is free.

Separately, Russia’s State Duma in June approved legislation raising state duties for both acquiring and renouncing citizenship within the country by 12 times, increasing the fee from 4,200 roubles to 50,000 roubles.

Official statistics show that 4,306 people renounced Russian citizenship in 2022, the year the war in Ukraine began, compared with 4,055 in 2021 and 3,877 in 2020. No official data have been published for subsequent years.

By Tamilla Hasanova