Dual citizenship in Ukraine: law passed, but no list of countries yet

A new law on dual citizenship in Ukraine has already been passed, but its practical implementation has been postponed — the government has not yet approved the list of “friendly” countries. The president has announced that Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic will be the first countries to be included, and that the mechanism will subsequently be extended to Canada and the US. Find out which categories of persons will be able to take advantage of the simplified procedures

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On June 18, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Law No. 4502-IX, which for the first time enshrines the concept of multiple (dual) citizenship in law. From now on, a person may simultaneously hold the citizenship of two or more states. This decision has attracted considerable interest among both Ukrainians and foreigners, as it opens up new opportunities for legalizing status and simplified procedures for acquiring citizenship.

The specialists at Visit Ukraine Lawyers are ready to provide professional support in matters related to dual citizenship. We will help you collect and correctly prepare the necessary documents, check the grounds for acquiring citizenship, and explain all the nuances of the new legislation. Our lawyers work with both Ukrainians and foreigners who plan to take advantage of the simplified procedures.

Main provisions of the law

The law defines the general framework for the introduction of dual citizenship in Ukraine:

Prohibition for citizens of the Russian Federation and countries that do not recognize the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Holders of such passports will not be able to take advantage of the new rules.

The right of the Cabinet of Ministers to form a list of “friendly” states. It is the government that will determine which countries' citizens will be able to use the multiple citizenship mechanism.

No clear list. Unlike previous versions of the presidential bill, which listed 33 specific countries (the EU and the G7), the final version only includes criteria: EU membership, sanctions against Russia, and consideration of Ukraine's national security interests.

Thus, the legislative framework has been created, but all practical decisions depend on the Cabinet of Ministers.

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When will dual citizenship come into effect?

The government has not yet approved the list of “friendly” countries, so the dual citizenship mechanism is not yet in effect. In August 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the relevant regulations would be adopted in the near future. The first countries with which the mechanism is planned to be implemented are Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, and later it will be extended to Canada and the United States.

Who will be able to take advantage of the simplified procedures?

It is planned to introduce separate mechanisms for different categories of persons:

Persons of Ukrainian origin. Foreigners who can document their Ukrainian roots will be eligible for Ukrainian citizenship through a simplified procedure.

Foreign military personnel. Those who have served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine for at least one year during martial law or three years under contract in peacetime will be able to obtain citizenship through a simplified procedure.

The law on multiple citizenship has already been passed, but its actual implementation depends entirely on the decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers and the adoption of subordinate legislation. So far, there is no list of “friendly” states, so Ukrainians and foreigners have to wait for specifics from the government.

If you want to prepare for the changes in advance and avoid bureaucratic difficulties, please contact us. We will provide individual consultation, help you assess your chances of obtaining Ukrainian citizenship, and prepare a package of documents in accordance with the future requirements of the Cabinet of Ministers. With Visit Ukraine, you will receive reliable legal support and confidence in the result.

Reminder! We previously wrote that obtaining an insurance policy is one of the key steps in obtaining a residence permit in Ukraine for foreigners. Find out what requirements the migration service has for insurance in 2025, what the policy should cover, and how to obtain it correctly in our article.

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