If you spend a significant amount of time on the territory of two states at once, registration of a second citizenship can be the solution to a large number of problems. And many residents of the former USSR, taking into account family, friendship and business ties, would not refuse to have dual citizenship of Russia and Moldova.
Legal status concept
It is possible to obtain dual citizenship only if the countries have concluded an agreement on the mutual recognition of documents and the status of persons holding simultaneously passports of both states. Thus, it is impossible to obtain dual citizenship solely on one's own initiative. Just as it is impossible to acquire it automatically, having received one or two more passports - such citizenship will be the second or multiple, respectively.
The main difference between dual citizenship and a second or multiple citizenship is that, by virtue of international agreements, a bipatride fulfills obligations only to the country where it is currently located.
Legislation of Moldova
The Republic of Moldova does not have any agreements on dual citizenship officially concluded with other countries. However, the attitude towards persons with a second and multiple citizenship is extremely liberal. Any citizen of Moldova can have an unlimited number of passports of other states; there are no restrictions in this regard even for civil servants.
Since dual citizenship itself is not prohibited in Moldova, you can apply for a Moldovan passport if you meet the necessary requirements. But this will be the second civilian identity.
RF legislation
At the constitutional level, citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to obtain a second and subsequent citizenship of other states. The agreement on the legal status of persons with a dual identity is currently valid only with Tajikistan.
With regard to Turkmenistan, the situation is not so simple. The agreement with this state expired in 2021. However, citizens who managed to obtain dual citizenship before this date officially retain this legal status.
The fact that citizens of the Russian Federation have a second or multiple indigenous people in no way restricts their rights and freedoms on the territory of the Russian Federation. This is evidenced by Part 2 of Art. 62 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
Procedure for obtaining Moldovan citizenship
There are several reasons that can become the basis for obtaining a Moldovan passport and significantly simplify the procedure for obtaining citizenship:
- birth in the country,
- adoption,
- repatriation,
- restoration of the indigenate,
- naturalization.
A number of mandatory conditions are imposed on applicants wishing to undergo the naturalization procedure:
- at least 18 years old;
- residence on the territory of the republic for at least 10 years or, as an option, marriage with a citizen of Moldova for at least 3 years;
- legal source of income;
- the absence of criminal and other types of prosecution by law enforcement agencies in any state;
- lack of other citizenship.
If you want to have several citizenships at once, you will have to refuse naturalization.
How to refuse the RF indigenate
Citizenship issues in the Russian Federation are mainly regulated by two legislative acts: the Law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation” of 05/31/2002 N 62-FZ and the Regulation on the procedure for considering issues of Russian citizenship, approved by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 11/14/2002 N 1325.
These issues are resolved by the Main Directorate for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, the territorial divisions of which should be contacted.
The package of documents for renunciation of citizenship of the Russian Federation includes the following papers:
- application of the established form;
- confirmation of citizenship to another country or the ability to acquire such affiliation;
- a certificate from the local tax office of the absence of debt to the state budget, unpaid fines or alimony;
- receipt of payment of state duty;
- Russian civil passport;
- documents on change of name / surname / patronymic;
- copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates and military ID;
- three photos of the established sample.
The term for consideration of the application is 12 months. The details of the procedure are in the article “Renunciation of Russian citizenship”.
Conclusion
There are no international agreements allowing citizens of any state to have dual citizenship with the Republic of Moldova. However, in the country for 2021, double and multiple indigenous people are not prohibited: the exception is the naturalization procedure, which requires renunciation of the previous citizenship. If you are interested in dual citizenship in Russia with Moldova, you need to understand that you can only get a second passport, but it will not provide the advantages of dual citizenship. In which countries dual citizenship is allowed, read our article.
