How many citizenships does Pavel Durov have? How and when did he get them?

Pavel Durov, the founder of the social network VKontakte and the messenger Telegram, is known for having multiple citizenships. The exact number and details of how to obtain each of them may change over time.

However, as of 2024, Pavel was known to have 4 citizenships.

How many citizenships does Pavel Durov have?

Russia: This is his native citizenship, received at birth.
Saint Kitts and Nevis: Durov received citizenship of this small Caribbean state in 2013. It is usually granted to investors who have invested a certain amount in the country's economy. The exact amount of investment made by Durov has not been disclosed.
United Arab Emirates: Durov received UAE citizenship in 2021. The decision to grant citizenship is usually made at the level of the country's top leadership and can be associated with various factors, including investments, contribution to the development of the country, or strengthening international relations. It is known that Durov moved the Telegram headquarters to Dubai. It is also known about his good relations with the Sheikh of Dubai.
France: In 2023, it became known that Durov received French citizenship. The reasons for choosing this country and the conditions for obtaining a passport were not disclosed. Durov has repeatedly praised France as a vacation spot. Pavel even named his Telegram account in the French style: Paul Du Rove.

It is important to note:

Conditions for obtaining citizenship: Conditions for obtaining a second and subsequent citizenships may vary depending on the country. Often requires a significant financial contribution, property ownership, or special service to the state.
Confidentiality: Information about obtaining citizenship, especially for public figures, is often confidential. Therefore, the exact amounts of investment and other details may not be available to the general public.
Changes: The number and composition of Durov's citizenships may change over time. For example, he may renounce one of his citizenships or obtain a new one.

"It's a convenient thing, it allows you to travel without a visa"

Here's what Pavel himself said in 2017 on VK about his citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis:

A scan of my Saint Kitts and Nevis passport, which I received in the spring of 2013 against the backdrop of well-known problems in Russia, is circulating on Telegram channels.

I have repeatedly talked about having a passport of this country in interviews with Western publications (Financial Times, Fortune, etc.). Since then, in the “citizenship” column in Wikipedia, I have a double entry: “Russian, Kittitian”. It’s convenient, as it allows you to travel to the EU and the UK without a visa.

At the same time, I have never been to St. Kitts itself – you can get a passport without leaving Europe. So when the Italian Reppublica asked in 2014 if it was true that I had moved to St. Kitts, I replied that I had never been there and did not plan to go. Some Russian media, not being on good terms with the Italians, then published the news that “Durov denied receiving citizenship of St. Kitts,” which was incorrect.

He has since updated his passport (the first one ran out of pages), so distributing this scan does not cause harm.

Why does Durov have multiple citizenships?

There are several reasons why wealthy people can have multiple citizenships:

Tax Benefits: Different countries have different tax systems, and having multiple passports can help optimize your taxation.
Freedom of Movement: Citizens of many countries can freely travel and reside in other countries that have a visa-free regime with them.
Asset Protection: In some cases, having multiple citizenships can provide additional asset protection.
Political Reasons: In the event of political upheaval or changes in the laws of your home country, a second citizenship can be a kind of "Plan B".

Overall, obtaining a second citizenship is a complex and expensive process that requires a careful study of the legislation of each specific country.

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How many citizenships does Pavel Durov have? How and when did he get them?