The consular fee for acquiring Russian citizenship for residents of occupied Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transnistria will be reduced from $600 to $65. A draft decree by the Government of the Russian Federation establishes a preferential rate for the population of these regions.
The fee for processing Russian passport applications at consulates abroad was increased on August 1. The fee for renouncing Russian citizenship also surged—from $130 to $1,200.
In May of last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree simplifying the acquisition of Russian citizenship for the occupied Georgian territories. In May 2026, Putin signed a similar decree regarding Transnistria, which is outside the control of Moldovan authorities. Applicants for citizenship from Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transnistria are exempt from the requirements of permanent residency in the Russian Federation, proficiency in the Russian language, and knowledge of Russian history.