Key Takeaways
• Ukraine could legalize multiple citizenship by late 2025, allowing most Ukrainians to hold dual nationality except with aggressor states.
• The draft law benefits emigrants, ethnic Ukrainians abroad, foreign volunteers, and families with mixed heritage or adoption cases.
• Russia and other designated aggressor state nationals are excluded for security reasons; full procedures will be announced after law passes.
Ukraine 🇺🇦 is on the path to legalizing multiple citizenship, with its parliament—the Verkhovna Rada—working on a new law that could become official by the end of 2025. This major policy change, if finalized, will shift the way Ukraine 🇺🇦 recognizes citizenship, possibly affecting millions of Ukrainians both inside and outside the country. The move has gained wide attention due to its potential to unite families, help people forced out by conflict, and align Ukraine’s 🇺🇦 rules more closely with European standards. Here is a detailed look at what this change could mean, who will benefit, and some challenges Ukraine 🇺🇦 may still face.
Legal Update: Summary and Timeline
The push to allow multiple citizenship in Ukraine 🇺🇦 took a big step forward in December 2024, when the Verkhovna Rada adopted a draft law in its first reading. This step means that lawmakers agree on the general idea and main points, but still need to work out many details and pass further votes. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov recently stated that work is ongoing, and the final law is expected to be ready by late 2025.
Once the Verkhovna Rada gives its full approval, more steps will follow to outline the procedures and rules for applying this new law. These next phases will involve clarifying paperwork, setting up new government systems, and guiding current and future citizens on how the new rules work. Until the law is fully passed and enforced, Ukraine 🇺🇦 still officially follows its old rules.
Background and Reasons for Change
Current Ukrainian 🇺🇦 citizenship law only recognizes single citizenship. This means a person is considered solely a Ukrainian 🇺🇦 citizen, and taking on another country’s passport can, in theory, cause their Ukrainian citizenship to be taken away. However, the rules about losing citizenship for getting another one are not always clear-cut, and enforcement in the past has often been inconsistent.
For many years, the question of whether to allow multiple citizenship has sparked debate in politics and society. The full-scale war that broke out in 2022 has forced millions of Ukrainians to leave their homes to seek safety or opportunities abroad. As a result, many have gained new nationalities or want to do so to protect themselves and their families.
Legalizing multiple citizenship is seen as a key step to keeping strong ties with Ukrainians abroad, bringing back talent, and making it easier for those who left to connect with their homeland. The new law also matches trends seen in many European Union countries, which generally allow their nationals to hold several citizenships as a way to keep connections with expatriates and foster cross-border cooperation.
The draft law is also partly a response to longstanding requests from the global Ukrainian community and from people helping Ukraine in its time of need. As one official stated, these changes will “help unite the Ukrainian nation irrespective of where its members currently live.” The hope is that Ukraine’s 🇺🇦 new law will make it easier for ethnic Ukrainians born elsewhere to claim or keep citizenship, even if they acquire another nationality.
What Specific Aspects of Law Are Affected?
If passed and fully implemented, the new law will make these main changes:
- Allow holders of Ukrainian 🇺🇦 citizenship to keep their status even after acquiring another country’s passport, except for certain excluded countries.
- Give ethnic Ukrainians born outside Ukraine 🇺🇦 a clearer way to claim or keep Ukrainian citizenship while having another nationality.
- Enable foreign nationals who have helped defend Ukraine 🇺🇦 (for example, foreign volunteers) to gain citizenship more easily, along with their families.
- Allow children born with parents from different countries, or adopted by Ukrainian families, to hold both Ukrainian 🇺🇦 citizenship and a foreign one.
- Make future marriages between Ukrainians and foreigners simpler when it comes to handling citizenship for both spouses and any children.
- Exclude citizens of certain “aggressor states,” especially Russia 🇷🇺, from holding multiple citizenship with Ukraine 🇺🇦.
One of the central goals of the law is to keep and strengthen the bond between Ukraine 🇺🇦 and its vast diaspora. This group includes not just recent refugees, but also Ukrainians and their families who have lived abroad for generations.
Who Will Benefit from Multiple Citizenship in Ukraine 🇺🇦?
The draft law describes several groups who stand to benefit:
- Ukrainian 🇺🇦 Emigrants (Expatriates):
- Those who left the country, especially due to war, will be able to hold onto their Ukrainian citizenship even if they get another country’s passport. This is important for many who want to keep their identity and the option to return.
- Ethnic Ukrainians Born Abroad:
- People of Ukrainian descent, even if they have never lived in Ukraine 🇺🇦, could more easily get or keep citizenship without giving up another nationality. This may cover those born in places with long-established Ukrainian communities.
- Foreign Defenders and Volunteers:
- Foreigners who fought for or supported Ukraine 🇺🇦, as well as their family members, can receive quicker and simpler paths to Ukrainian citizenship under the new rules. This recognizes their role and encourages continued support.
- Children and Family Cases:
- In cases where a child has parents from different countries, or is adopted by Ukrainians, both nationalities can be kept. The same simplified process will help families formed by marriage between Ukrainians and foreigners.
- Ukrainian Community Worldwide:
- In general, the reform aims to bring millions of people abroad closer to Ukraine 🇺🇦 by allowing them to keep a legal connection through citizenship.
Key Restrictions: Security and Exclusions
Despite its open approach, the new law has strong exceptions, especially for security reasons. The main restriction is that citizens of countries officially recognized as “aggressor states,” most notably Russia 🇷🇺, cannot hold multiple citizenship with Ukraine 🇺🇦. This means Russians and others from any listed adversary country will not be eligible under the new rules. The government believes this is essential to protect national security during ongoing conflict.
Other detailed restrictions, such as which actions might result in losing Ukrainian citizenship or how voting rights apply to new dual citizens, are still being worked out by the lawmakers.
Implementation Tools and Support Initiatives
To help put these changes into practice, the Ukrainian 🇺🇦 government is planning several support tools:
- Electronic Platform for Ukrainians Abroad: This new online system will provide information, job listings, housing help, and advice for Ukrainians who live outside the country—making it easier to stay connected or return home if they want.
- Unity Hubs in European Capitals: These centers will be set up in cities across Europe to act as one-stop resources for Ukrainian expatriates, offering guidance on paperwork, integration, and maintaining their connection to Ukraine 🇺🇦.
Both tools aim to make the transition smoother for those affected by the law and to help people manage their new rights and responsibilities.
The Current Law vs. Proposed Law: Side-by-Side Comparison
Current Law
- Only one citizenship (single nationality) allowed under the law.
- No official recognition of dual or multiple citizenship, although some people do have more than one passport due to birth or special situations.
- No specific support or services for Ukrainians living abroad beyond consular help.
- No special rules or simplified pathways for foreign volunteers, mixed families, or returned emigrants.
Proposed New Law (Expected by End of 2025)
- Multiple citizenship will be allowed for most, with the major exception of citizens of aggressor states.
- Emigrants, ethnic Ukrainians abroad, children of mixed heritage, and certain foreign volunteers/families can all keep or receive Ukrainian citizenship alongside other nationalities.
- Support for citizens abroad will expand, including electronic tools and physical hubs in key foreign cities.
- Continued focus on security: strict rules for who cannot benefit (mainly Russians).
- Additional voting rights for citizens abroad are being considered, along with new ways to participate in Ukraine 🇺🇦’s public life.
A helpful table from the source materials sums up the main differences:
| Feature | Current Law | Proposed Law (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Dual/multiple citizenship | Not recognized | Recognized, except for aggressor state citizens |
| Diaspora rights | Limited | Expanded, including possibly the right to vote abroad |
| Security exclusions | N/A | Aggressor states (e.g., Russia 🇷🇺) excluded |
| Support services | None | Yes: “Unity Hubs,” digital support platform |
The details of voting eligibility for those with multiple citizenship are still being worked out, and further clarifications are expected as the law develops.
Process and Debate: Moving Toward Law
The process of making this law official starts with readings and votes in the Verkhovna Rada. After the first reading in December 2024, additional work is being done to adjust the text, consider recommendations, and settle any disagreements. Lawmakers expect another reading and a final vote later in 2025.
As the legislative process continues, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine 🇺🇦 has also been asked to review whether the move to multiple citizenship fits with the language of Ukraine’s 🇺🇦 Constitution. A ruling by the Court could influence how quickly the changes take effect or what limitations must be put in place.
Policymakers, legal experts, and members of the Ukrainian community both inside and outside the country continue to weigh in on the law. Some praise its forward-looking approach, seeing it as a way to reconnect Ukraine 🇺🇦 with its global diaspora and boost the country’s economy and cultural life. Others raise concerns about possible risks, especially related to national security or influence from adversary governments. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the balance between opening Ukraine 🇺🇦 to its overseas population and ensuring safety and independence is central to the debate.
Implementation Steps and Transitional Arrangements
Once final, the law will be published with a clear date of effect. An information campaign will help explain who can apply, how to do so, and what documents are needed. The government will set up offices and online systems to handle applications, answer questions, and resolve any concerns about the new procedures. Those already holding another citizenship may get a grace period to come forward and have their status officially recognized without penalty.
For those unsure about their rights or obligations under the new system, the government will provide official advice, and Ukrainians will likely need to follow set steps to register multiple citizenship, especially if they wish to make use of public services or take part in voting.
Broader Significance: Why Does This Matter?
Legalizing multiple citizenship in Ukraine 🇺🇦 is about much more than paperwork. The reform aims to rebuild links with people forced to leave their home due to war, to reward those who have supported Ukraine 🇺🇦, and to make sure the country is not cut off from those who might help its recovery in the future.
It’s also a step towards aligning with European practices, where many countries already allow nationals to keep more than one passport. This makes travel, business, and family life much easier for those with roots in more than one country.
At the same time, the government’s approach—welcoming most, but excluding citizens of aggressor states—reflects Ukraine’s 🇺🇦 strong focus on security at a time when the country faces ongoing conflict. This compromise means the national interest is kept in mind while opening doors for millions who want to remain connected.
Common Questions That May Arise
- When will the law take effect? If all goes according to schedule, by the end of 2025.
- Who is excluded? Citizens of Russia 🇷🇺 and any other country listed as an aggressor by Ukraine 🇺🇦.
- Will people have to give up other passports they already have? No, unless they are from an excluded (aggressor) country.
- How will applications work? Details will be provided by the government after passage; expect digital and in-person help.
- Can dual citizens vote? This is under review; further announcements will clarify what rights apply.
Legal Challenges and Pending Decisions
Although the Verkhovna Rada and government back the new law, some possible legal challenges could slow it down. The Constitutional Court’s ruling is still pending, and new laws may need further adjustments if parts are found not to fit the current Constitution. So, while big changes are coming, final details could still shift over the next months.
Compliance and Next Steps
For current citizens and those interested in becoming Ukrainian citizens, it is wise to follow updates from government sites, watch for official announcements, and consider seeking legal advice if needed. Steps such as gathering relevant documents, preparing for application, and registering changes will become important once the law is official.
To stay up to date or find resources on Ukrainian citizenship, job support, or the electronic platform for expatriates, you can visit official sites such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. This will be important for understanding forms, deadlines, and rights under the new system.
Conclusion
By late 2025, Ukraine 🇺🇦 expects to have a law in place that will allow most of its people at home and abroad to hold multiple citizenship, with clear guidelines and some security-related exceptions. The move will affect millions—offering a way for those driven out by conflict or born abroad to reclaim or keep their link to Ukraine 🇺🇦. The law is still being finalized, with attention from the Verkhovna Rada, courts, and society. Those with questions or in tricky situations should keep a close eye on official advice. This is a major shift that, once complete, will bring Ukraine 🇺🇦 closer to many of its citizens around the world.
Please note: This article explains the situation based on current information as of May 2025. Individual cases can differ greatly, and the details of Ukrainian 🇺🇦 citizenship law may change. For personal legal advice tailored to your situation, you should consult a qualified immigration lawyer or an official authority.
Learn Today
Multiple Citizenship → A legal status that allows a person to be recognized as a citizen of more than one country simultaneously.
Verkhovna Rada → Ukraine’s national parliament, responsible for passing and amending laws including the new multiple citizenship legislation.
Aggressor States → Countries officially labeled by Ukraine as hostile, such as Russia, restricting their nationals from dual citizenship privileges.
Diaspora → A population of Ukrainians living outside Ukraine, often maintaining cultural, emotional, or legal ties to their homeland.
Unity Hubs → Government-established centers in European cities to help Ukrainians abroad with paperwork, integration, and maintaining connections.
This Article in a Nutshell
Ukraine is set to legalize multiple citizenship by late 2025, transforming how millions maintain ties to their homeland. The reform excludes Russian nationals, focuses on reconciling with the diaspora, and expands support through digital hubs. These changes align Ukraine with European practices and strengthen its global connections.
— By VisaVerge.com
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