New Family Mortgage Rules from February 1, 2026

Changes to the family mortgage rules, which come into force on February 1, 2026, introduce two key requirements for borrowers.

• Spouses in a registered marriage are required to act as co-borrowers under the loan agreement.
• The loan agreement is now «tied» to a specific child or children who must be registered at the same address as the borrower.

It is important that families retain the right to involve third parties as co-borrowers if their own income is insufficient for loan approval. The new requirements do not apply to military personnel — participants in the savings-mortgage system. A spouse with foreign citizenship cannot be a co-borrower.

Purpose of the Changes

According to the Russian Ministry of Finance, the adjustment aims to implement the principle of «one preferential loan per family».

“This measure will prevent abuses by making the support system for citizens more targeted. It will help support those families who truly need to improve their housing conditions,” the department explained.

Answers to Key Questions

The largest banks, including Sber (Sberbank), VTB (VTB Bank), Alfa-Bank, MKB (Moscow Credit Bank), and Dom.RF (Russian Housing Development Foundation), have already issued clarifications on the new rules.

Can a mortgage be issued to only one spouse?

No. From February 1, 2026, both spouses in an official marriage must participate in the transaction — one as the borrower, the second as a co-borrower.

Does a marital contract affect this?

No. A marital contract, even one establishing a separate property regime, does not exempt a spouse from being included in the loan agreement.

How to apply for a mortgage after divorce?

If the marriage is dissolved, the mortgage is issued to one parent. It will be necessary to provide a divorce certificate and documents confirming that the child lives with the borrower.

What is needed if the borrower is not married?

It is necessary to provide a certificate of no registered marriage from the civil registry office or multifunctional center. The bank has the right to reconsider the loan terms if a marriage is later discovered.

Is the child«s registration with the borrower mandatory?

Yes. The child must have permanent registration at the same address as the parent applying for the mortgage.

What documents for the child are required?

• Registration certificate form No. 8 — for children under 14 years old.
• Passport with registration mark — for children from 14 years old.

From February 1, providing the child«s SNILS (individual insurance account number) is also mandatory. If there are several children, all must be registered at the same address.

What if the parents are not married?

The mortgage is issued by the parent with whom the child is registered. The other parent does not participate in the transaction.

What to do if the spouse is a foreigner?

A foreign spouse is not included in the agreement as a co-borrower. The loan is issued only to a Russian citizen.

What if the spouse is a military serviceman?

If the spouse participates in the military mortgage (NIS), they may not be a co-borrower. Final conditions are determined by the rules of the NIS and the bank.

Can a family mortgage be obtained again?

Re-obtaining the loan is possible under the following conditions:

• If a preferential mortgage was issued after December 23, 2023 and is not repaid — a new issuance is not possible.
• If the old preferential mortgage is repaid and a child is born in the family — issuance under the new rules is allowed.
• If a preferential mortgage was received before December 23, 2023, a new transaction is possible under the updated rules.

What to Check Before Applying to the Bank

• Availability of documents on marriage, divorce, or certificate of no marriage.
• Registration of the child at the same address as the borrower.
• The child«s SNILS.
• History of using preferential mortgage programs in the family.

Conditions for Family Mortgage in St. Petersburg

• Interest rate: 6% per annum.
• Down payment: from 20% (use of maternity capital is allowed).
• Maximum loan amount: 12 million rubles (approximately $133,300 at current rates).
• Requirements for children: presence of a child under 6 years old or a disabled child.
• Type of housing: new buildings.