If you are connected to Russia through a parent, child, spouse, family history or another personal circumstance, you may need to clarify whether you hold Russian citizenship before making further plans. The Consular Section in Madrid has announced changes to the fees for several Russian citizenship-related applications. These changes concern applications submitted through that consular office; do not assume that the same payment arrangements apply in every country or at every Russian authority.

Which citizenship applications are affected

Three different procedures are covered by the announcement. The first is an application to establish the fact that a person does or does not hold Russian citizenship. This is a citizenship-status determination: it is used to ask the Russian authorities to confirm whether Russian citizenship exists, rather than to apply for a new citizenship status or to give one up.

The other procedures are an application for admission to Russian citizenship and an application for renunciation of Russian citizenship. Admission means applying to become a Russian citizen. Renunciation means applying to cease being a Russian citizen. Before planning a payment, identify the procedure that matches your situation, as the fees are different.

Fee changes and effective dates

From 26 July 2026, no consular fee is charged for considering an application to establish the fact of the presence or absence of Russian citizenship. This change applies to the consideration of that specific type of application.

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 gives amounts in US dollars and euros, but it does not state which currency an applicant must use in every case. Confirm the accepted currency and payment instructions directly with the Russian Embassy in Spain before filing.

The fee is calculated for each person

The stated amount is calculated separately for every person included in an application. This is especially important for families: do not treat the published amount as one charge for an entire family application. Count each person named in the application when planning the total fee.

The announcement does not specify how payment must be made, which documents must be enclosed, whether appointments are required, or what happens if an outdated or incorrect amount is paid. Check the official information of the Russian Embassy in Spain and the Consular Section in Madrid before submission. If you are applying from another country, verify fees, eligibility, filing location and payment rules with the relevant Russian consulate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia or the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

What to do before travel and after arrival in Russia

These fee changes concern citizenship applications, not a Russian visa, border entry documents or migration registration. Before travelling to Russia, separately check whether you need a visa or another entry document, and ensure that your passport and any travel documents meet the requirements that apply to you. The Madrid notice does not provide rules on visas, entry or border checks.

After arriving in Russia, follow any migration-registration rules that apply to your nationality and immigration status. A citizenship-status application or the removal of its consular fee does not itself confirm your right to enter Russia or replace post-arrival registration requirements. The source does not specify registration procedures, so verify them with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia or the competent migration authority.

Where to confirm details before filing

For an application made in Spain, consult the official website or official notices of the Russian Embassy in Spain and its Consular Section in Madrid. Confirm that the fee change is in force for your filing date, choose the correct application type and calculate the charge person by person where a fee applies.

The supplied information does not state citizenship eligibility rules, required evidence, processing periods, the country in which every applicant may apply, or the filing method. These points must be checked with the specific Russian consulate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia or the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia before you submit an application.

Что проверить

  • Identify whether you need a citizenship-status determination, admission to Russian citizenship, or renunciation of Russian citizenship.
  • For citizenship-status determinations, note that no consular fee is charged from 26 July 2026.
  • For admission to Russian citizenship, budget USD 600 or EUR 570 for each person included in the application from 1 August 2026.
  • For renunciation of Russian citizenship, budget USD 1,200 or EUR 1,140 for each person included in the application from 1 August 2026.
  • Confirm the applicable currency, payment method, documents, appointment rules and filing route with the Russian Embassy in Spain before applying.
  • Check visa, entry and migration-registration requirements separately if you plan to travel to Russia.