On June 18, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law on multiple citizenship, initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky. This decision was a historic step towards maintaining ties with the diaspora and a response to the challenges of our time.
Fakty ICTV together with the immigration lawyer of the Prikhodko & Partners Law Firm Yelizaveta Mazur and the managing partner of EvrikaLaw JSC, the chairman of the NAAU Committee on Investment Activity and Privatization Andrey Shabelkov figured out what the law on multiple citizenship in Ukraine provides for
Multiple citizenship: what is known about the adoption of the law
In August 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced a bill aimed at regulating issues of obtaining and maintaining Ukrainian citizenship.
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It specified cases in which multiple citizenship is permitted, and also provided simplified rules for certain categories of foreigners to acquire or restore Ukrainian citizenship.
Almost a year later, namely on June 18, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada as a whole adopted the bill on multiple (dual) citizenship. 243 parliamentarians supported this document.
People's Deputy Yaroslav Yurchyshyn stated that there are about 60 million Ukrainians in the world, although half of them live abroad and not all have Ukrainian passports. At the same time, they have Ukrainian roots and strive to be part of national processes.
— The adoption of the law on multiple citizenship is about unity. Millions of Ukrainians around the world will retain (or will have the opportunity to obtain) Ukrainian citizenship, having another passport. This is especially relevant for families who emigrated long ago, but identify themselves as Ukrainians, — he wrote on Telegram.
Key changes in the initial and final bill on multiple citizenship
After the first reading, bill No. 11469 on multiple citizenship underwent changes. Andrey Shabelnikov noted that a 560-page comparative table was prepared for the second reading, and the final version of the document was also revised.
The main focus of the amendments was on forming a list of countries with which multiple citizenship would be permitted. In particular, it was proposed that when forming such a list, the Cabinet of Ministers should take into account:
- membership of the state in the European Union;
- Has the country imposed sanctions against the Russian Federation due to armed aggression against Ukraine?
“That is, the key logic for defining friendly states is joining the EU, as well as a clear position on condemning the criminal actions of the Russian Federation through the use of sanctions restrictions,” Shabelnikov explained.
Lawyer Elizaveta Mazur emphasized that these changes are intended not only to determine countries for permitted dual citizenship, but also to strengthen mechanisms for protecting national security.
Among the innovations of the law on multiple citizenship:
- Mandatory notification of the state.
If a Ukrainian citizen receives another citizenship, he/she is obliged to inform the competent authorities about it. Concealing this fact may entail legal consequences, such as a restriction on the right to hold public office or participate in elections.
- The grounds for termination of citizenship have been clarified.
This is done to ensure that Ukrainians do not automatically lose their citizenship when receiving a passport of another country – this especially applies to residents of temporarily occupied territories.
- The issue of protecting personal data in the process of confirming the presence of a second citizenship has been resolved.
- The procedure has been simplified for ethnic Ukrainians.
Foreigners of Ukrainian descent will be able to obtain citizenship under a simplified procedure. They will be able to take exams in Ukrainian language and history after receiving a passport, but within a clearly defined time frame.
Multiple citizenship: advantages
Multiple citizenship in Ukraine opens up new prospects for both Ukrainians living abroad and foreigners who have linked their lives with our country.
According to the law on multiple citizenship, special benefits may be received by:
- foreigners fighting on the side of Ukraine;
- foreigners who have permanently resided in Ukraine for more than five years (must pass exams on knowledge of the language, history and the Constitution);
- Children born abroad will be able to obtain both Ukrainian citizenship and the citizenship of the country of birth.
As Andrey Shabelnikov notes, multiple citizenship has advantages in that it simplifies international mobility – Ukrainians will be able to freely travel and work in friendly countries, as well as conduct business outside of Ukraine.
Another important advantage of multiple citizenship, according to lawyer Yelizaveta Mazur, is the ability for Ukrainians abroad to retain their Ukrainian passport even after receiving citizenship of another state. This is especially relevant for those who were forced to leave because of the war.
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What are the risks of multiple citizenship in Ukraine?
Despite the advantages, multiple citizenship also has risks. One of the main ones is the possibility of abuse. For example, a person may try to avoid responsibility or military service by hiding behind another citizenship. That is why, after the law comes into force, serious work is needed to harmonize Ukrainian legislation with the norms of partner countries in order to minimize these risks.
There are also difficulties with determining tax residency and obligations to different states. As Shabelnikov noted, these issues require additional regulatory regulation.
There is another danger of the law on multiple citizenship: in the absence of clear rules, it may happen that two Ukrainian citizens will have different rights or access to social protection depending on whether they have a second passport.
Elizaveta Mazur also drew attention to the fact that in the event of a crime being committed in one country, a citizen with a second passport may try to avoid criminal liability by citing citizenship of another state.
In addition, the list of risks should include the lack of a clear mechanism for monitoring second citizenship, the exchange of information between states, and liability for concealing a second passport.
“The draft law does have a powerful potential for bringing the diaspora closer and maintaining ties with millions of Ukrainians around the world. However, its effective implementation requires reliable security mechanisms, a clear system for recording second citizenship, and the elimination of abuses, in particular by individuals with ties to the aggressor state,” Mazur noted.
Does multiple citizenship contradict the Constitution of Ukraine?
At first glance, multiple citizenship in Ukraine contradicts Article 4 of the Constitution, which speaks of single citizenship.
However, as the lawyer explained, the term single citizenship of Ukraine does not mean a ban, but a special legal approach. Ukraine does not recognize other citizenships in its legal system – that is, within the country, a person, even with several passports, is considered exclusively a citizen of Ukraine.
Who will not be able to obtain Ukrainian citizenship
Despite the openness of the new policy, the law on multiple citizenship in Ukraine provides for a number of clear restrictions.
As lawyer Andrey Shabelnikov explains, the document quite clearly outlines the circle of people who will not be able to apply for a Ukrainian passport.
In particular, the following cannot obtain Ukrainian citizenship:
- persons who voluntarily acquired citizenship of states whose citizens do not have the right to simplified acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship;
- those who served in the military under contract in the Russian Federation;
- persons convicted in Ukraine for crimes against national security, after the sentence has entered into legal force.
Multiple citizenship as a response to the demographic crisis
Multiple citizenship in Ukraine can become an important tool for overcoming the demographic crisis. As lawyer Yelizaveta Mazur notes, the new law not only maintains ties with the diaspora, but also significantly simplifies the process of obtaining Ukrainian citizenship for foreigners.
Today, to become Ukrainian, one had to renounce another citizenship. This often became a barrier for foreigners who wanted to integrate into Ukrainian society.
The law on multiple citizenship essentially cancels this requirement: now a foreigner will be able to obtain a Ukrainian passport without renouncing the one they have.
“Therefore, there will be more Ukrainian citizens, and men with other citizenships will no longer be able to leave Ukraine, since the principle of single citizenship remains in the country,” Mazur emphasized.
