Is the Path to Citizenship through Property Investment Possible in Russia?
Authors: Grigorieva O. G. 
Published: June 2024

Introduction. Real estate has undoubted investment advantages. Moreover, in a number of countries it is a bridge for simplified obtaining a residence permit or even citizenship. In Russia, the legal regime of immovable property undoubtedly has a number of advantages. The very possibility to have property on the right of private ownership (including land plots) gives owners confidence in the possession and use of real estate. The legislation on real estate is characterized by stability and is less susceptible to change. Low rates of property tax calculated on the cadastral value of the property facilitate the acquisition of real estate. The variety of real estate objects allows citizens and legal entities to own residential and non-residential premises and parking places. With the development of digitalization of state administration, the registration of rights to immovable property has become as simple and accessible as possible, allowing owners to protect their property from fraudulent schemes. Property prices in Russia are steadily rising, which also stimulates investment in this sector. Whether investments in real estate contribute to obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation in an accelerated (preferential, facilitated, etc.) manner will be shown in this article. Materials and methods. This study is based on: 1) the totality of such methods of scientific cognition as: the dialectical method, which allowed to connect the theory of civil and land law and the practice of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation; the formal-legal method allowed to analyse legislative norms; the system method allowed to consider the institute of national treatment of foreign citizens in Russia as a system with internal unity and interrelations with other institutions of law (the institute of citizenship, the institute of property rights, etc.); 2) the results of the author's survey of the moderators of My Hectar Programme regarding the demand of foreign citizens for land plots sold under the Programme; 3) analysis of the Decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation. Research results. The study found that in Russia, at the constitutional level, foreign citizens are granted national treatment, exceptions to which are provided for by federal laws. Restrictions on the rights of foreigners are stipulated by a number of federal laws. For example, civil legislation has traditionally prohibited ownership of certain categories of land plots. As a response to western sanctions, in March 2022 a special permissive procedure was introduced for citizens of unfriendly countries to acquire ownership of real estate. The legislation on citizenship of the Russian Federation does not provide for any privileges for foreigners to obtain citizenship through investments in the country's economy in general, in real estate and business in particular.Discussion and сonclusion. The Russian Federation policy regarding the rights of foreign citizens to immovable property should continue to be aimed at maximum protection of the interests of national security and sovereignty of the country, and priority opportunities for Russians to acquire real estate. Certainly, the state should stimulate foreign investment. However, in the conditions of aggravation of international relations and threats to Russia's national security, it would be advisable to introduce a permissive procedure for the acquisition of real estate for all foreign citizens, taking into account the foreigner's occupation and the purpose of acquiring real estate, sources of his income, possible links with organizations banned in Russia.