Czechia Among First Countries Hit by Ukraine’s New Dual Citizenship Law

Ukraine has ended its long ban on holding more than one passport, and Czechia is among the first countries affected. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a new law on July 15, 2025, after the Verkhovna Rada passed draft law No. 11469 in June 2024, opening the door to dual citizenship for Ukrainians with selected “friendly” states. In an announcement on August 26, 2025, Zelenskyy said the initial rollout would cover Czechia, Poland, Germany, the United States 🇺🇸, and Canada 🇨🇦, with detailed rules to follow.

For the more than 500,000 Ukrainians living in Czechia—many clustered in Prague—this marks a historic change with practical effects on family life, work, and long-term status in both countries.

What the reform allows and who is affected

• Ukrainians in Czechia can apply for Czech citizenship without giving up their Ukrainian passport once Czechia appears on the government’s approved list.
• Foreigners, including Czechs, can apply for Ukrainian citizenship while keeping their original nationality if they meet testing requirements in Ukrainian language, history, and the constitution.
• The Cabinet of Ministers will set and maintain the list of eligible “friendly” countries; that list can change based on security and foreign policy concerns.

Important exclusions and guardrails:

• The law excludes Russian citizens and people from countries that refuse to recognize Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
• New grounds for losing Ukrainian citizenship include acquiring Russian citizenship or serving in the Russian armed forces—reflecting wartime realities and security concerns.

Why Czechia is central

Czechia’s central role reflects its large Ukrainian community, including about 366,000 people who arrived under temporary protection after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The Czech government introduced new five-year residence permits for Ukrainian refugees in February 2025, signaling a long-term approach.

For families settled in Czechia, the reform provides a clear legal path to retain ties with Ukraine while integrating locally. Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests the move could encourage more permanent planning among displaced families who had waited to see whether naturalization required surrendering Ukrainian nationality.

Policy timeline and administrative steps

Key legislative milestones:

1. Parliament adopted draft law No. 11469 on June 18, 2024.
2. President Zelenskyy signed the law on July 15, 2025.
3. On August 26, 2025, Zelenskyy confirmed the first target countries: Czechia, Poland, Germany, the United States, and Canada, with the Cabinet tasked to issue detailed rules.

Administrative rollout:

• The Cabinet will finalize the list of “friendly” states and publish regulations on how to apply and how authorities will handle dual status.
• Digital tools and public guidance are being developed to handle a likely surge in applications and to prevent duplicate records and fraud.
• Consulates and electronic platforms will play a key role in accepting and processing applications from abroad.

Expect a phased rollout: initial focus on countries with large Ukrainian communities and strong government cooperation, with systems and fraud checks ramping up before full processing.

What Ukrainians in Czechia need to know

Practical implications:

• Once Czechia is confirmed on the Cabinet’s list, a Ukrainian can naturalize in Czechia and remain Ukrainian.
• Parents can expect clearer paths for children born in Czechia to hold both identities where allowed by the two countries’ rules.
• Applicants will be required to make a written statement and provide supporting documents to record their decision to keep both citizenships—this is not treated as a renunciation.

Suggested preparatory actions:

• Gather birth records, proof of ancestry, passports, residence permits, and any language certificates.
• Keep civil status documents (marriage certificates, name-change records) ready.
• Follow Czech naturalization rules (legal stay, clean criminal record, stable income, language study), which remain important.

For Czech applicants seeking Ukrainian citizenship

• Applicants must pass exams in Ukrainian language, history, and the constitution.
• Ukrainian officials say simplified procedures may be available for people of Ukrainian origin; specifics will be in the Cabinet’s regulations.
• Prepare documentation proving ancestry, civil status, and identity while waiting for the detailed rules.

Impact on families, businesses, and communities

Human and economic effects:

• Individuals (e.g., healthcare workers, IT specialists, small business owners) can plan long-term careers and investments without severing legal ties to Ukraine.
• Dual citizenship can simplify travel, banking, property ownership, hiring, cross-border contracts, and professional certification across the EU and Ukraine.
• Employers benefit from a more stable, committed workforce; communities and public services benefit from clearer legal status among residents.

Community stories reflect this: teachers, entrepreneurs, mixed families, and retirees all see practical benefits—stability, cultural ties, and the ability to split time between countries when conditions permit.

Risks, verification, and legal considerations

Limits and concerns:

• The approved-country list is flexible and can be changed for security reasons.
• Verification will be careful: secure data sharing, digital checks, and identity verification aim to prevent fraud but may slow early processing.
• Applicants should expect possible backlogs at consulates once rules are published.

Legal and practical cautions:

• Dual citizenship does not harmonize all laws—tax obligations, military duties, and voting rules can differ across countries.
• Complex cases (business setups, multi-jurisdictional tax issues, military service implications) should seek professional legal advice.
• Public messaging must be clear to avoid confusion on who qualifies and what documents are required.

Clear next steps and practical guidance

Officials expect detailed regulations in the coming weeks, with full implementation targeted by the end of 2025. In the meantime, applicants are advised to:

1. Check whether Czechia appears on the official approved list once published.
2. Review instructions on how to file the required written statement to keep both citizenships.
3. For Czech applicants to Ukraine: prepare for exams in language, history, and the constitution.
4. Watch for announcements on simplified procedures for people of Ukrainian origin.
5. Keep documents up to date: passports, residence permits, birth and marriage certificates, and records of name changes.

Useful source for official updates and final lists:
– Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs — officials say they will publish the approved state list, regulatory texts, and consular instructions there once ready.

Final takeaways

• The law offers Ukrainians in Czechia a legal way to put down roots without severing ties to Ukraine.
• For Czech residents with Ukrainian roots, it opens a formal path to reconnect culturally and legally with Ukraine.
• The success of the reform depends on clear regulations, robust digital systems, and coordinated implementation between Kyiv and partner countries—especially Czechia.

Practical checklist while waiting for regulations:

• Keep passports and residence permits valid and in good condition.
• Collect and safely store civil documents (birth, marriage, name-change and court records).
• Start or continue Ukrainian language study and review basic history and constitutional topics if you plan to apply.
• Monitor official channels and digital platforms to avoid delays when applications open.

As the Cabinet publishes the final list and rules, families and applicants in Czechia will be able to convert policy into personal plans—choosing whether to settle, invest, or maintain formal ties to Ukraine while continuing life in Czechia.