Norwegians and EU citizens apply for Russian resettlement program
Citizens of Norway and EU countries are submitting applications to the Russian embassy in Oslo for participation in Russia's state program for voluntary resettlement of compatriots, with growing interest from German and Austrian nationals as well. The program, established in 2006, offers simplified procedures for obtaining residence and citizenship.
Consensus
- Citizens of Norway and EU countries are applying to the Russian embassy in Oslo for the Russian state program for voluntary resettlement of compatriots.
- The Russian embassy in Oslo receives applications not only from Russian citizens but also from ethnic Russians who are citizens of Norway and EU countries.
- The embassy collaborates with the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs on processing these applications.
- The state program for voluntary resettlement of compatriots was approved by President Vladimir Putin in 2006.
- The program provides support for document processing and adaptation in Russia.
- Interest in the program is increasing, with higher numbers of applications and documents issued in 2025 and 2026 compared to previous years.
Points of divergence
- More than 200 German citizens received visas over one and a half years to relocate to Russia for upholding traditional values. — vm
- The 'Happy Milkman' meme figure, farmer Justas Walker, who previously claimed he was being deported from Russia, plans to apply for Russian citizenship with his family. — vm
- It was reported that the final decision on the deportation of Walker's wife and children has not yet been made. — vm
- In May 2026, head of the department for work with compatriots abroad, Gennady Ovechko, noted a trend of returning compatriots to Russia. — vesti
- In 2025, the number of people repatriated to Russia was four times higher than in 2024. — vesti
- In the first half of 2026, 570 certificates were issued by Russian diplomatic missions in Germany. — m24
- In the first half of 2025, 251 certificates were issued in Berlin, and 631 in Bonn’s consular office. — m24
- In the first half of 2024, 164 certificates were issued in Berlin, and 308 in Bonn’s consular office. — m24
- More than 200 Germans received visas over one and a half years for relocating to Russia to uphold traditional values. — m24
- In 2025, 80 visas were issued in Berlin, and 24 in 2026; in Bonn, 82 and 22 respectively. — m24
- Reasons for relocation include desire to live and work in Russia, obtain citizenship, disagreement with German political and economic policies, and rejection of liberal propaganda about Russia. — m24
- Russia is perceived in Europe as a defender of traditional spiritual and moral values. — m24
Coverage (6 sources)
- Russian Embassy: Citizens of Norway and the EU are submitting applications for relocation — Коммерсантъ
- Russian Embassy: Citizens of Norway and the EU are applying to Russia under the resettlement program — Вечерняя Москва
- Russian Embassy: Some Norwegian residents want to move to Russia — Вести
- More than 200 German citizens have moved to Russia under 'traditional values visas' — Вечерняя Москва
- Russia issued 570 resettlement certificates from Germany in 2026 — Москва 24
- The Russian embassy explained why German citizens want to move to Russia — Вести