The Consular Section in Madrid has announced changes to consular fees for several Russian citizenship matters. The update is relevant to people who need to confirm whether they have Russian citizenship, apply to be admitted to Russian citizenship, or apply to renounce it. It may be particularly important for families with Russian connections who are preparing citizenship paperwork for more than one person. These are citizenship procedures, not Russian visa or border-entry rules. The announcement does not change requirements for electronic visas, ordinary visas, invitations, migration cards, registration after arrival, or documents required at the Russian border. It concerns fees charged for consideration of specific citizenship applications.

What changed and when

From 26 July 2026, no consular fee is charged for consideration of an application to establish the fact that a person does or does not hold Russian citizenship. This type of application is a citizenship-status check. It is not the same as applying for Russian citizenship or giving it up.

From 1 August 2026, consideration of an application for admission to Russian citizenship costs USD 600 or EUR 570. Consideration of an application for renunciation of Russian citizenship costs USD 1,200 or EUR 1,140. The published information identifies these dates and rates, but does not state which payment currency must be used in every individual case. Confirm this with the consulate before payment.

Who should pay attention to the new rates

The changes concern people filing one of three types of citizenship applications: an application to establish the presence or absence of Russian citizenship, an application for admission to Russian citizenship, or an application for renunciation of Russian citizenship. Choosing the correct category matters because the fee treatment is different for each one.

The amount is calculated separately for every person included in an application. A family should therefore count each person named in the application when planning the cost. For admission to citizenship, the stated amount is USD 600 or EUR 570 per person. For renunciation, it is USD 1,200 or EUR 1,140 per person. The citizenship-status check has no consular fee.

What to check before submitting to a consulate

Start by identifying the purpose of the request. If the question is whether you or a child already has Russian citizenship, the relevant procedure in the announcement is establishing the fact of the presence or absence of citizenship. If the aim is to obtain Russian citizenship, it is an admission application. If the aim is to end Russian citizenship, it is a renunciation application.

The notice does not specify eligible nationalities, countries of application, document lists, appointment rules, payment methods, or the consequences of paying an old or incorrect amount. Before filing, check the official information of the Embassy of Russia in Spain and contact the specific Russian consulate handling the case. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, or the relevant consulate should be consulted for rules not stated in the announcement.

Travel and arrival in Russia: what this does not change

The fee update does not create a visa, entry permit, or right to cross the Russian border. A person travelling to Russia must separately establish whether they need a visa and which travel documents apply to their nationality and circumstances. If citizenship status is uncertain, that issue may be important to resolve before travel, but this announcement does not set out any border procedure.

There are also no new post-arrival duties in the published information. It does not amend migration registration, accommodation registration, or other steps after entering Russia. Travellers should verify entry and post-arrival requirements separately with official Russian authorities or the relevant consulate, because the Madrid notice is limited to fees for citizenship-related applications.

Что проверить

  • Identify whether the case concerns confirmation of the presence or absence of Russian citizenship, admission to Russian citizenship, or renunciation of Russian citizenship.
  • For a citizenship confirmation application, do not include a consular fee in the budget: the fee has not been charged since 26 July 2026.
  • For admission to Russian citizenship from 1 August 2026, calculate USD 600 or EUR 570 for each person included in the application.
  • For renunciation of Russian citizenship from 1 August 2026, calculate USD 1,200 or EUR 1,140 for each person included in the application.
  • Check the current instructions and payment information on the official website of the Embassy of Russia in Spain before submitting anything.
  • Confirm with the relevant Russian consulate whether it accepts the application, which currency it will accept, the submission method, and the documents required for your individual case.