The fee for renouncing citizenship has been raised nearly 10-fold for Russians
Russia has sharply increased consular fees for citizens who wish to renounce their passports while abroad. Effective August 1, 2026, the base fee has risen from $130 to $1,200, and when additional costs in some countries are factored in, the procedure can cost more than $2,600.
Russians living abroad who wish to officially renounce their Russian citizenship will now have to pay significantly more. As of August 1, 2026, Russian authorities have sharply increased consular fees for such services. Journalists at The Bell spotted the relevant Russian government decree. According to the document, the consular fee for submitting an application to renounce Russian citizenship outside of Russia has risen from $130 to $1,200.
In other words, the base fee has increased more than ninefold. Previously, Russian citizens who wished to complete this procedure through a consulate abroad paid $130. Now, the consular fee alone amounts to $1,200.
The fees for obtaining documents related to the termination of citizenship abroad have also changed. Their cost has risen from $65 to $600. But the expenses for applicants do not end there. Russian consulates may also require applicants to reimburse actual expenses associated with carrying out the procedure.
How Much Will You Have to Pay?
Ultimately, the cost of renouncing Russian citizenship can vary significantly depending on the country where the procedure is carried out. For example, in EU countries and the U.S., the total cost, according to The Bell, can be around $2,640. In Kazakhstan, the procedure will cost approximately $1,560.
Thus, a person living abroad who wishes to officially renounce their Russian citizenship must now be prepared to spend several thousand dollars. This is particularly important for Russians who have left the country and no longer wish to remain its citizens. For them, the process has always involved bureaucracy, paperwork, and the need to contact consular offices. Now, a significantly higher financial barrier has been added to the mix.
How this compares to other countries
Following the latest increase, the Russian procedure has become noticeably more expensive than similar services in a number of other countries. For example, in the U.S., the consular fee for issuing a certificate of loss of citizenship is $450. Previously, this amount was much higher—$2,350—but it was reduced in April 2026.
In Italy, renouncing citizenship costs no more than 300 euros. In Germany, this procedure is carried out free of charge. Against this backdrop, the Russian fee of $1,200 seems particularly high. And when you factor in the consulate’s additional actual expenses, the total amount can be several times higher than the base fee.
What Has Changed Since August 1
Until August 1, Russians abroad paid $130 to file an application to renounce citizenship. Now, the same procedure costs $1,200. The fee for receiving the relevant document has also increased—from $65 to $600. Additionally, the applicant must reimburse the consulate for any actual expenses incurred during the processing.
As a result, the final amount depends on the specific country and the circumstances of the case. In Europe and the U.S., according to The Bell’s estimates, it can reach $2,640, and in Kazakhstan—about $1,560. At the same time, it is important to distinguish between renouncing citizenship and simply choosing not to use a Russian passport. A person may go years without using Russian documents or live abroad, but this in itself does not mean automatic termination of citizenship. To officially renounce citizenship, one must follow the established procedure.
The new fee increase makes this process significantly more expensive. By comparison, a similar procedure is free in Germany, and in Italy, it costs no more than 300 euros. Thus, as of August 1, Russian authorities have set a significantly higher financial threshold for those who wish to officially sever their legal ties with the Russian Federation while residing outside the country. In some cases, a person may have to spend more than two thousand dollars on this process, according to The Bell.
The daughter of General Yevgeny Burdinsky, head of the Main Organizational and Mobilization Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, works at a law firm that, for a fee, helps Russians obtain deferments from military service, exemptions from mobilization, and challenge draft notices.
