Virtually all Ukrainians living in the EU are not eligible for citizenship there: why?

95% of Ukrainians living in EU countries do not have grounds for obtaining citizenship, as the process requires specific reasons. The law on multiple citizenship is more aimed at the diaspora outside Europe. Find out why it is still too early for Ukrainians in the EU to count on obtaining European passports

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Ukrainians residing in European Union countries, in the vast majority of cases, cannot expect to obtain citizenship quickly. This was stated by the head of the State Migration Service of Ukraine, Natalia Naumenko, in an interview with Censor.NET.

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Why Ukrainians cannot obtain EU citizenship

According to Naumenko, about 95% of Ukrainians currently residing in the EU do not yet have grounds for applying for citizenship. The main reason is that European countries have strict requirements:

▪️ marriage to an EU citizen;

▪️ confirmed origin;

▪️ long-term permanent residence in the country (usually 5-7 years).

Only when these conditions are met does a person become eligible for an EU member state passport.

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Long-term perspective

Many Ukrainians who moved to the EU after 2022 are under temporary protection or have a residence permit that does not entitle them to citizenship. Only after years of permanent residence will it be possible to submit documents. Some Ukrainians have already renounced their citizenship or are in the process of doing so in order to facilitate the acquisition of a new passport.

However, Naumenko stressed that it is still too early to talk about any mass trend of Ukrainians obtaining EU citizenship.

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The law on multiple citizenship and the diaspora

According to the head of the GMS, the law on multiple citizenship being discussed in Ukraine is more focused on the historical diaspora in Canada, the US, France and other countries. These are descendants of ethnic Ukrainians who emigrated long ago and wish to reconnect with their historical homeland.

‘These people want to have Ukrainian citizenship, but at the same time are not ready to give up the passport of the country where they were born and have lived all their lives. Now they will have the opportunity to retain both citizenships,’ Naumenko said.

Restrictions imposed by EU countries

It is also important to note that not all European Union countries recognise multiple citizenship. Therefore, Ukrainians who want to obtain a passport in such countries will have to make a choice: remain a citizen of Ukraine or accept a new citizenship.

Thus, despite the hopes of many Ukrainians living in the EU, there is still no quick way to obtain European passports. Most of them can only count on long-term procedures or legalisation of residence, but not on citizenship.

To prepare all documents correctly and avoid possible refusals, it is advisable to seek the help of Visit Ukraine's immigration lawyers, who will help you prepare all the documents.

Reminder! In 2025, separate rules for crossing the border will apply to men. Find out which categories of men can leave Ukraine without hindrance and what documents are required for this.

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