Azerbaijan Dual Citizenship 2026: Rules, Reporting and Loss

No, as a rule. Article 10 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan says that if an Azerbaijani citizen is also a citizen of another country, Azerbaijan does not recognise the foreign citizenship. The exceptions are cases set by international treaties of Azerbaijan, or decided under paragraph 32 of Article 109 of the Constitution, which gives the President powers on citizenship.

"Not recognised" means that for the Azerbaijani state you are an Azerbaijani citizen, with all the rights and duties that come with it, whatever other passport you hold. Inside Azerbaijan, your foreign citizenship gives you no special status.

Since the 2014 changes to the citizenship law, a citizen who acquires another citizenship must notify the authorities in writing within 1 month. The State Migration Service has explained that a person who does not give this information bears responsibility under the Criminal Code. We could not confirm the exact penalty in an official source, so treat the deadline as strict.

The deadline is 1 month. Do not wait until your next trip home.

• The application form approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution 18 of 29 January 2015.
• A copy of your ordinary Azerbaijani passport.
• A copy of a document that proves your foreign citizenship, such as the naturalisation certificate or the new passport.
• Embassies send the file to the State Migration Service through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Yes. Article 18 of the Law on Citizenship lists the voluntary acquisition of another country's citizenship as a ground for losing Azerbaijani citizenship. Voluntary service in the state or municipal bodies, armed forces or other military units of a foreign state is another ground.

Losing citizenship is a legal decision, not something that happens on its own at the border. Until it is decided, Azerbaijan treats you as its citizen. Once you are no longer a citizen, you visit Azerbaijan as a foreigner with your other passport, under the visa rules for that passport. You can check them with the free visa checker or on our pages such as visa rules for Russian passports.

Some countries ask you to give up your old citizenship before they naturalise you. In that case you apply to renounce Azerbaijani citizenship. The application is addressed to the President and filed with the State Migration Service if you live in Azerbaijan, or with the Azerbaijani embassy or consulate if you live abroad.

1. 1

   Prepare the documents

   Four 3 x 4 cm photos, a copy of your ID card, proof that you have no debts or property obligations to the state or to people and companies in Azerbaijan, and a letter of guarantee from the country whose citizenship you will take, with a translation into Azerbaijani.

2. 2

   Pay the state fee

   The MFA lists a state fee of USD 60.

3. 3

   Submit and wait

   Embassies send the file to the MFA, which asks the security services and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Each reviews it within 1 month, and then the Commission on Citizenship Issues under the President decides.

Renunciation can be refused if you have obligations to the state, unpaid property obligations, a criminal case or a court judgement to execute, or if it conflicts with state security.

• Which passport to use: while you are still a citizen, Azerbaijan treats you as one, so expect to show your Azerbaijani document when you enter or leave Azerbaijan. Use your other passport for the other country, and ask the State Migration Service if you are unsure.
• Military service: as long as you are a citizen, Azerbaijani duties, including military service for men, still apply.
• Children: a child born abroad may get two citizenships by birth. The rules differ from adults, so ask the State Migration Service or the embassy.
• Property and inheritance: ask a lawyer in Azerbaijan before you change citizenship.
• Passport renewal: while you are a citizen, you renew through the embassy. See renewing an Azerbaijani passport abroad.