Russian leader Vladimir Putin has enacted a law that restricts maternity capital payments to individuals who are both Russian citizens at the time of a child’s birth and the child’s own citizenship is Russian. This update was reported by RIA Novosti.
Before this change, Russian citizens could receive maternity capital upon the birth or adoption of a child who held Russian citizenship. The updated legislation, however, does not consider the child’s citizenship status previously.
On December 13, the State Duma approved in the third reading a bill that provides maternity capital to Russian citizens strictly at the birth of a child, and only if the child is a citizen of Russia by birth. This marks a narrowing of eligibility conditions and aligns the payment with the child’s birth citizenship status.
Under the new law, maternity capital will be paid to residents in the newly incorporated regions of the Russian Federation, including the Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, irrespective of when or how citizenship of the Russian Federation is acquired. The measure is set to take effect on January 1, 2024.
Earlier, President Vladimir Putin announced 2024 would be the Year of the Family in Russia, signaling a policy emphasis on family support and demographic goals. This legislative shift reflects ongoing adjustments to social benefits tied to citizenship and regional status, with implications for families navigating these changes.