Armenian Citizenship: By Descent, Dual Citizenship, Test, Portal
By WSE.AM editorial team, edited by Mark Muzyka · Updated 23 October 2026
Armenian citizenship in 2026: the route for ethnic Armenians, marriage, the Constitution test, the mcs-citizenship.am portal, the 50 000 AMD fee, dual status.
Ethnic Armenians can get Armenian citizenship without living in Armenia for 3 years, without proving they speak Armenian and without the Constitution test. Other foreigners generally need 3 years of permanent residence in Armenia, conversational Armenian and knowledge of the Constitution. Dual citizenship is allowed, applications go only through mcs-citizenship.am since 1 January 2026, and the state fee is 50 000 AMD.
Up to date as of 23 October 2026. This is not legal advice: laws change, check the source or a lawyer before acting.
Armenian citizenship by descent: the route for the diaspora
The Law on Citizenship gives a separate route to a person of Armenian nationality who is not yet an Armenian citizen. Such a person can be granted citizenship without the three general requirements: 3 years of residence, Armenian language and knowledge of the Constitution. This is what most people mean when they search for "Armenian citizenship by descent" or "Armenian repatriation".
What the provision we checked does not say: it does not mention generations, grandparents or great grandparents, and the official sources in our dataset do not list which documents prove Armenian origin. If your Armenian roots go back several generations, ask the Migration and Citizenship Service through mcs-citizenship.am before you collect papers. We do not want to guess here.
There is also a related route by family history: a person whose parents were citizens of the Republic of Armenia is exempt from the 3-year residence and language requirements, but must have lived in Armenia for 1 year.
Until 1 November 2026 the diaspora could also take a 10-year special residency status (the "special passport"). New applicants no longer get it from that date; temporary and permanent residence on the basis of Armenian origin remain. Details are in our guides to residence permit types and to the new residence rules from November 2026.
Other simplified routes: marriage, family, former citizens
Several groups do not need the 3 years of residence or the language, although only ethnic Armenians are also spared the Constitution requirement.
| Who | Not required | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Person of Armenian nationality | 3 years of residence, language, Constitution | Armenian nationality |
| Spouse of an Armenian citizen | 3 years of residence, language | married for the last 2 years and at least 365 days lived in Armenia in that time |
| Person with a child or parent who is an Armenian citizen | 3 years of residence, language | family link to an Armenian citizen |
| Person whose parents were Armenian citizens | 3 years of residence, language | 1 year of residence in Armenia |
| Former Armenian citizen | 3 years of residence, language | left Armenian citizenship after 01.01.1995 |
| Refugees and stateless persons | 3 years of residence, language | living in Armenia |
Citizenship by marriage therefore works like this: 2 years of registered marriage with an Armenian citizen and at least 365 days spent in Armenia during that period. The Constitution test still applies unless you are ethnically Armenian.
General route: 3 years, language and the Constitution
Any adult with full legal capacity can apply if they:
- have lived permanently in Armenia for the last 3 years;
- can communicate in Armenian;
- know the Constitution of Armenia.
To build up those 3 years you normally need a residence permit. Which one fits you is covered in our residence permit guide, and if you come to work, see the work permit guide.
The Armenian citizenship test
Language and Constitution are checked with a single test set by Government Decree N 97-Ն of 22.01.2026:
| Parameter | Rule |
|---|---|
| Language of the test | Armenian |
| Number of questions | 33, each with three answer options |
| Time | 1 hour |
| Pass mark | at least 17 correct answers |
| After three failed attempts | the application is not accepted, but you can apply again |
| Ethnic Armenians | do not take the test |
Passing the test also counts as proof that you can communicate in Armenian: there is no separate language exam.
How to apply: the mcs-citizenship.am portal and documents
Since 1 January 2026 citizenship applications are filed, checked and reviewed only through the electronic system mcs-citizenship.am. You also book the appointment to hand in original documents there.
Rules for foreign documents:
- certificates and other papers issued by foreign authorities (civil registry certificates, references, notarial documents) need an apostille or consular legalisation, unless an international treaty says otherwise;
- the Armenian translation must be made by a translator who passed the qualification check under Government Decree N 193 of 2002;
- a translation made abroad also needs an apostille or legalisation.
Whether a treaty exempts documents from your country is not spelled out on the official pages we checked. The safe default is to apostille and to confirm with the Migration and Citizenship Service.
Processing time and fee
| Stage | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Opinion of the National Security Service | 40 working days (if none is given, it counts as positive) |
| Opinion of the Migration and Citizenship Service | 15 working days |
| Proposal to the President after a positive opinion | 8 working days |
| Interagency commission after a negative opinion | 10 working days |
| Presidential decree | no time limit set in the decree |
Citizenship is granted by decree of the President of Armenia, after which the new citizen takes and signs the oath.
Fee: 50 000 AMD for acquiring citizenship (50 base duties of 1 000 AMD). Refugees and stateless persons are exempt. Giving up Armenian citizenship costs 150 000 AMD.
Dual citizenship and military service
Armenia allows dual citizenship. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, taking another country's citizenship does not lead to the loss of Armenian citizenship. The flip side: Armenia treats a dual citizen only as an Armenian citizen, with all the duties of a citizen, including military service on general terms, unless a treaty or law provides otherwise.
The official texts we found do not cover conscription age, deferrals or credit for service in another army for naturalised citizens. Ask the military commissariat before you apply if this matters for you or your children.
If you are moving to Yerevan for good, wse.am can help you find a flat while your application is in progress.
Sources
- Law of the Republic of Armenia on Citizenship (arlis.am)
- Government Decree N 97-Ն on reviewing citizenship applications (arlis.am)
- Law on State Duty (arlis.am)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia: citizenship
- Migration and Citizenship Service: citizenship
Frequently asked questions
Can I get Armenian citizenship by descent? Yes, if you are of Armenian nationality: the law exempts you from the 3 years of residence, the language and the Constitution test. The sources we checked do not say how many generations back your Armenian origin may be or which documents prove it, so confirm this through mcs-citizenship.am.
Does Armenia allow dual citizenship? Yes. Taking another citizenship does not cost you Armenian citizenship, but inside Armenia you are treated only as an Armenian citizen, with all duties including military service on general terms.
Is there Armenian citizenship by investment? We found no investment route to citizenship in the official sources we checked. From 1 November 2026 investment becomes a ground for permanent residence, but the criteria (amounts and assets) were not officially published as of 23.10.2026.
How much does Armenian citizenship cost? The state fee is 50 000 AMD. Refugees and stateless persons do not pay it; giving up Armenian citizenship costs 150 000 AMD.
What is on the Armenian citizenship test? It is a test on the Constitution in Armenian: 33 questions, three answer options each, 1 hour, and you need at least 17 correct answers. Ethnic Armenians do not take it.
Can I apply for Armenian citizenship online? Yes, and only online: since 1 January 2026 applications go through mcs-citizenship.am. Through the same system you book a visit to hand in original documents.
Read also
- Armenia Residence Permit: Types, Requirements, Cost, 2026 Changes
- Armenia Social Card (Public Service Number) for Foreigners
- Register a Business in Armenia as a Foreigner: Sole Proprietor Guide
- LLC Registration in Armenia for Foreigners: Cost, Time, Documents
- Work Permit in Armenia for Foreigners: How It Works in 2026
- Apostille in Armenia 2026: Fees, Where to Get It, Translation