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Basics of law: questions for the citizenship exam

This page covers the basics of law only — the second half of the second exam. There are eighteen tasks, and this module too has its own mandatory threshold: 12 points out of 20.

There are thirty-six of them here — exactly two different sets.

This is the richest law module of all the exam levels, and half of it is not on the patent or the temporary residence permit at all: the foundations of the constitutional order, civil law (ownership, transactions, contracts, real estate), labour law (age, working hours, settlement on dismissal), family law (marriageable age, joint property of spouses, maintenance of children) and the grounds for acquiring and terminating citizenship themselves.

Questions with answers and explanations

Fundamentals of law

  1. На какие три ветви разделяется государственная власть в России?

    Listen

    State power in Russia is divided into legislative, executive and judicial branches, each independent. At federal level the legislature is the Federal Assembly of two chambers, the Federation Council and the State Duma; the executive is the Government; the judiciary is the courts. Separation of powers is a principle of the constitutional order.

  2. Какое основание прекращения гражданства России называет закон?

    Listen

    The law names two grounds for terminating Russian citizenship: renunciation and other grounds provided by federal law or international treaty. Renunciation is a voluntary act on the person's own application. Neither living abroad nor marrying a foreigner ends citizenship — a common misconception the exam tests.

  3. Что такое договор в гражданском праве?

    Listen

    A contract is an agreement between two or more persons to establish, change or end civil rights and obligations. The core principle is freedom of contract: the parties decide whether to enter one and on what terms, provided the terms do not contravene the law.

  4. Что из перечисленного является недвижимым имуществом?

    Listen

    Real estate is what is firmly attached to land and cannot be moved without disproportionate damage: land plots, buildings, flats, premises. Everything else is movable: cars, money, goods. The difference is practical — real-estate transactions require state registration, and ownership arises on entry in the register, not on signing.

  5. Может ли гражданин России быть лишён гражданства против своей воли?

    Listen

    The Constitution states plainly that a citizen of the Russian Federation may not be deprived of citizenship or of the right to change it. Citizenship can end only by the person's own will, through renunciation, or on grounds expressly named by federal law.

  6. Обязаны ли родители содержать своих несовершеннолетних детей?

    Listen

    Parents are obliged to support their minor children — a duty on both, independent of whether they are married to each other or live together. A parent living apart pays maintenance, by agreement or through a court. Adult children able to work must in turn support parents unable to work.

  7. Что, согласно Конституции, является высшей ценностью в Российской Федерации?

    Listen

    Article 2 of the Constitution: “The individual and their rights and freedoms are the highest value. Recognising, observing and protecting them is the duty of the state.”

  8. Кто является носителем суверенитета и единственным источником власти в России?

    Listen

    Article 3: “The bearer of sovereignty and the sole source of power in the Russian Federation is its multi-ethnic people.” The people exercise power directly and through bodies of state and local government.

  9. В какой форме заключается трудовой договор?

    Listen

    An employment contract is made in writing in two copies, one for each party. The employee’s copy, signed by the employer, is the only thing that proves the agreed pay in a dispute.

  10. Какой максимальный срок испытания при приёме на работу для обычного работника?

    Listen

    Under the Labour Code probation may not exceed three months, or six for heads of organisations and chief accountants. During probation all the employee’s rights apply, including pay no lower than agreed.

  11. За сколько дней работник обязан предупредить об увольнении по собственному желанию?

    Listen

    The employee gives the employer two weeks’ written notice. By mutual agreement you may leave sooner. On the last day the employer must return the work record book and settle up in full.

  12. Где в России регистрируют брак?

    Listen

    Marriage is registered at the civil registry office with both parties present, as a rule a month after the application. The mandatory conditions are mutual consent and reaching the marriageable age of 18.

  13. В каком случае брак расторгается только через суд?

    Listen

    A marriage is dissolved in court if the spouses have minor children together or one of them objects. Otherwise the registry office suffices. In court the judge also decides who the children live with and how maintenance is paid.

  14. Что входит в содержание права собственности?

    Listen

    Ownership consists of three powers: possession (you hold the thing), use (you derive benefit from it) and disposal (you decide its fate — sell, give, bequeath).

  15. Какая сделка требует обязательного нотариального удостоверения?

    Listen

    A will must be certified by a notary: it is a one-sided transaction, and after the person’s death their intent can no longer be checked. A notary is also required for annuity contracts and certain transactions with shares in real estate.

  16. Какой документ даёт иностранному гражданину право на въезд в Россию?

    Listen

    Entry to Russia requires valid identity documents recognised as such, and a visa where one is required for your citizenship. A visa-free regime applies with a number of countries.

  17. В какой срок принимающая сторона обязана уведомить о прибытии иностранного гражданина по общему правилу?

    Listen

    As a general rule the host party files the arrival notification within seven working days. There are exceptions: a hotel — one working day; citizens of Tajikistan — fifteen days; EAEU citizens who came to work — thirty days.

  18. Что грозит иностранному гражданину за нарушение правил въезда или режима пребывания?

    Listen

    For breaching entry rules or the terms of stay, the Administrative Code provides for a fine and, for repeated or gross breaches, administrative removal. After removal a ban on entry for several years is imposed.

  19. Что относится к основаниям приобретения гражданства России?

    Listen

    The law lists the grounds for acquiring citizenship: by birth, by admission, by recognition as a citizen, and under an international treaty. Marriage and property are not grounds in themselves.

  20. Какой документ подтверждает право иностранного гражданина постоянно проживать в России?

    Listen

    A residence permit confirms the right to live permanently and to enter and leave freely. A temporary residence permit allows you to live in Russia temporarily, usually for three years.

  21. Сколько ветвей власти устанавливает Конституция России?

    Listen

    Article 10: state power is exercised on the basis of division into legislative, executive and judicial branches, and the bodies of each are independent.

  22. Как Конституция определяет Российскую Федерацию по отношению к религии?

    Listen

    Article 14: the Russian Federation is a secular state; no religion may be established as a state or compulsory religion; religious associations are separate from the state and equal before the law.

  23. С какого возраста гражданин России приобретает полную дееспособность?

    Listen

    Full legal capacity comes at 18: a person may enter transactions and answer for them. Earlier only upon marriage or emancipation, when a teenager works under an employment contract.

  24. Кто обязан содержать несовершеннолетних детей после развода родителей?

    Listen

    Both parents must support their minor children. The parent living apart pays maintenance, by agreement or court order. The parents’ divorce does not reduce the child’s rights.

  25. Кто, согласно Конституции, является источником власти в России?

    Listen

    Article 3 of the Constitution: “The bearer of sovereignty and the sole source of power in the Russian Federation is its multinational people.” The highest expression of that power is a referendum and free elections. “Multinational” is not decoration here: Russia is a federation of dozens of peoples, and this is stated in the first chapter.

  26. Сколько лет нужно постоянно прожить в России по виду на жительство, чтобы подать на гражданство в общем порядке?

    Listen

    Under the general procedure Russian citizenship can be sought after five years of continuous residence on a residence permit. Continuous means leaving the country for no more than three months in a year. Preferential grounds with shorter terms exist — for certain categories and through marriage; check your own ground rather than the general rule.

  27. Какова нормальная продолжительность рабочего времени по Трудовому кодексу?

    Listen

    Labour Code, article 91: normal working time is no more than forty hours a week. Anything beyond is overtime: it requires the employee’s consent, is capped in hours and is paid at a higher rate. This rule works identically for Russian citizens and foreign workers.

  28. С какого возраста в России по общему правилу можно вступить в брак?

    Listen

    Family Code, article 13: the marriage age is eighteen. For valid reasons it can be lowered to sixteen with permission from local authorities. Marriage is registered at a civil registry office, with both parties present in person and only by mutual voluntary consent: coercion makes the marriage void.

  29. Кто обязан поставить иностранного гражданина на миграционный учёт?

    Listen

    Federal law 109-FZ on migration registration: the arrival notice is filed by the host — a Russian citizen, a foreigner with a residence permit, or an organisation where the person actually lives. The general term is seven working days from arrival; thirty days for EAEU citizens, fifteen for citizens of Tajikistan. Both sides bear responsibility for failure to register.

  30. Что означает депортация иностранного гражданина?

    Listen

    Deportation is the forcible removal of a foreign national from Russia when the legal grounds for staying are gone. It must be distinguished from related measures, all in the codifier: administrative expulsion is ordered by a court for an offence; an undesirability-of-stay ruling is issued by an authorised body; an entry ban closes the door for three to ten years. All mean leaving, but each is imposed differently.

  31. Сколько ветвей власти установлено Конституцией России?

    Listen

    Article 10 of the Constitution: state power is exercised on the basis of division into legislative, executive and judicial branches. At federal level the legislature is the Federal Assembly of two chambers — the Federation Council and the State Duma; the executive is the Government; the judiciary is the courts. The president belongs to no branch and ensures they act in concert.

  32. Из скольких палат состоит Федеральное Собрание России?

    Listen

    The Federal Assembly — Russia’s parliament — has two chambers: the Federation Council (upper) and the State Duma (lower). The Duma passes federal laws; the Council approves them. Questions about the structure of the state come up more often in the citizenship exam than at other levels: here it is the machinery of government being tested, not everyday rules.

  33. Что из перечисленного НЕ является объектом права собственности гражданина?

    Listen

    Under the Civil Code the objects of civil rights are things, money, securities, the results of work and services, and intellectual property. The right to vote is a political right of a citizen: it cannot be bought, sold or inherited, so it is never an object of ownership. And one more thing: only citizens may vote or stand for election in Russia. That is precisely what distinguishes citizenship from a residence permit.

  34. Что такое сделка по Гражданскому кодексу?

    Listen

    Civil Code, article 153: transactions are acts of individuals and legal entities aimed at creating, altering or terminating civil rights and duties. They may be oral or written; written form is obligatory between organisations and for individuals above a statutory threshold. A contract is a type of transaction involving at least two parties.

  35. Что по Семейному кодексу считается общим имуществом супругов?

    Listen

    Family Code, article 34: property acquired by spouses during marriage is their joint property, regardless of whose name is on the papers or who paid. Excluded: property owned before the marriage, and anything received as a gift or by inheritance. Spouses may agree a different regime in a marriage contract — the contractual property regime.

  36. Что даёт гражданство России, чего не даёт вид на жительство?

    Listen

    The difference between a residence permit and citizenship lies neither in work nor in property — both are open to a permanent resident. Citizenship brings political rights: voting and standing for election, taking part in referendums, holding public office, serving in the army, plus state protection abroad and immunity from expulsion. That is the answer to “why citizenship if I have a residence permit”.

  37. Какой документ подтверждает личность гражданина России на территории страны?

    Listen

    The main document proving the identity of a Russian citizen inside the country is the internal passport of the Russian Federation. The first is issued at 14 and replaced at 20 and 45. For a foreign national the equivalent is their own country’s passport, while the legality of their stay is proved by separate documents: the migration card, the registration notice, a patent, a temporary residence permit or a residence permit.

  38. Что грозит работодателю за приём на работу иностранца без разрешительных документов?

    Listen

    Code of Administrative Offences, article 18.15: employing a foreign national without the required documents brings the employer a large fine and can suspend the organisation’s operations. The worker is liable too — a fine, and expulsion on a repeat offence. The practical lesson: working “without papers” is dangerous for both sides, and an offer to work that way is not a favour but a risk.

  39. Какова минимальная продолжительность ежегодного оплачиваемого отпуска?

    Listen

    Labour Code, article 115: the annual paid leave is 28 calendar days. It may be split, but one part must be at least fourteen consecutive days. The right to leave arises after six months of continuous work with one employer, or earlier by agreement. The rule is the same for Russian citizens and foreign workers.

  40. Может ли гражданин России иметь гражданство другого государства?

    Listen

    A second citizenship is not prohibited, but its legal effect is limited: inside Russia a person with two passports is treated solely as a Russian citizen. Acquiring another citizenship or a foreign residence permit must be reported to the Interior Ministry. For a number of public offices and for service, a second citizenship is a bar.

  41. Какая обязанность граждан прямо названа в Конституции России?

    Listen

    Article 57 of the Constitution: everyone must pay lawfully established taxes and levies. The word “everyone” matters: the duty falls not only on citizens but on foreigners earning income in Russia. Other constitutional duties: to preserve nature, to protect monuments of history and culture, to defend the Fatherland (a duty of citizens), and to care for children and for parents unable to work.

  42. Куда обращаться за защитой нарушенного гражданского права?

    Listen

    Civil Code, article 11: violated civil rights are protected by the court. The remedies are listed in article 12: recognition of the right, compensation for losses, recovery of penalties, compensation for moral harm and others. Important for a foreign national: article 46 of the Constitution guarantees judicial protection to EVERYONE. Lacking Russian citizenship does not remove the right to go to court — in an employment dispute or any other.

  43. Как Конституция определяет Российскую Федерацию?

    Listen

    Article 1 of the Constitution defines Russia as a democratic federal law-governed state with a republican form of government. Word by word: democratic — power comes from the people; federal — made up of constituent regions; law-governed — power is bound by law; republic — the head of state is elected, not inherited.

  44. Что означает, что Россия — светское государство?

    Listen

    A secular state means religion is separate from the state: no faith is official or compulsory, and religious associations are separate from government bodies and equal before the law. Freedom of religion is guaranteed to everyone.

  45. Какое из этих оснований является основанием приобретения гражданства России?

    Listen

    The law names several grounds for acquiring Russian citizenship: by birth, by admission to citizenship, by restoration of citizenship, and on other grounds provided by law or international treaty. Admission is what most people go through. Buying property and length of employment are not on the list.

  46. Что входит в право собственности?

    Listen

    Ownership consists of three powers: possession — the thing is with you; use — you draw benefit from it; disposal — you decide its fate and may sell, give or bequeath it. Renting shows the difference: a tenant possesses and uses but does not dispose. This triad is a basic concept of civil law.

  47. Что такое сделка в гражданском праве?

    Listen

    A transaction is an act by individuals or organisations aimed at creating, changing or ending civil rights and obligations. Transactions may be unilateral (a will, a power of attorney) or bilateral — the latter being a contract. The required form depends on the type.

  48. С какого возраста по общему правилу можно заключить трудовой договор?

    Listen

    As a general rule an employment contract may be concluded from the age of sixteen. Earlier only in special cases: from fifteen after completing basic general education, from fourteen for light work with parental and guardianship consent. The contract is always in writing, in two copies.

  49. С какого возраста по общему правилу можно вступить в брак в России?

    Listen

    The marriage age in Russia is eighteen, matching the age of full legal capacity. With valid reasons the local administration may allow marriage from sixteen. Only a marriage registered with the civil registry office is recognised; a religious ceremony creates no legal consequences.

  50. Кому принадлежит имущество, нажитое супругами во время брака, по общему правилу?

    Listen

    Property acquired by spouses during marriage is by law their joint property, regardless of who earned it or whose name is on the papers. What was owned before the marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance, remains personal. A different arrangement can be set by a marriage contract.

  51. Какое условие обязательно для заключения брака в России?

    Listen

    Marriage requires the mutual voluntary consent of a man and a woman and attainment of the marriage age. The law also lists impediments: an existing registered marriage, close kinship, adoption, or legal incapacity. Marriage is concluded at the civil registry office.

  52. Какова нормальная продолжительность рабочего времени в неделю?

    Listen

    Normal working time is no more than forty hours a week. It is reduced for certain categories: minors, disabled workers, those in hazardous jobs. Work beyond the norm is overtime: it requires the worker's consent, is limited in duration and paid at a higher rate. All of this applies equally to foreign workers.

  53. Что работодатель обязан выдать работнику в день увольнения?

    Listen

    On the day of dismissal the employer must hand over the work record book or the record of employment and settle in full: wages for time worked and compensation for unused leave. Delay in settlement is a breach carrying interest. If documents are withheld, go to the labour inspectorate or a court.

  54. Что нужно гражданину России для выезда за границу?

    Listen

    A Russian citizen has the right to leave the country freely and return without hindrance — this is in the Constitution. A foreign-travel passport is needed to leave. The right may be temporarily restricted in cases named by law, such as unfulfilled obligations established by a court.

Read by a speech synthesiser

Correct: of 54

The explanations do not say "that is what the law says", they say why it is worth knowing. Ownership is not an abstraction but three concrete powers, and the difference between them is visible in a rented flat: the tenant possesses and uses, but does not dispose.

Numbers we could not check against a primary source are not here: periods of residence, the size of fees and the amounts of fines change with editions of the law, and an invented number is worse than a missing one.

Where to go next

The other module of this exam is Russian history. The first exam is Russian language.

Both exams in full are on the page Questions and practice test for the citizenship exam.

Frequently asked questions

How many law questions are there in the citizenship exam?

Eighteen of the thirty-six tasks of the second exam, with a mandatory threshold of 12 points out of 20.

What is in the module at citizenship level?

The foundations of the constitutional order, civil, labour and family law, the grounds for acquiring and terminating citizenship, and the rules of entry and exit. That is noticeably broader than the patent and the temporary residence permit, where the questions are mostly about migration rules.

Can the state deprive a Russian citizen of citizenship?

No. The Constitution directly forbids depriving anyone of citizenship or of the right to change it. Termination is possible only at the person's own will, or on grounds named by federal law. This question comes up in the exam often.

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