Second passport without losing Ukrainian citizenship: how will citizenship rules change from 2026?

In 2026, citizenship rules for Ukrainians will undergo significant changes that could affect millions of people abroad and in Ukraine. These changes involve a new approach by the state to second passports, integration abroad, and maintaining legal ties with Ukraine. Learn more about how multiple citizenship will work, who will be eligible for it, and what nuances to consider

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From 16 January 2026, new citizenship rules will come into force in Ukraine, recognising for the first time at the legislative level the possibility of holding more than one passport. For millions of Ukrainians abroad, this could be a turning point in terms of both legalisation and maintaining legal ties with Ukraine.

What exactly is this about, who benefits from it, and what will actually change in practice — we will discuss this further in this article.

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Why did the state decide to change the rules?

For decades, Ukrainian legislation has operated with the concept of ‘single citizenship,’ but at the same time, it did not contain a clear mechanism for punishing the possession of a second passport. As a result, a situation arose where multiple citizenship was not formally recognised, but in fact existed.

After 2014, and especially with the start of full-scale war, the number of Ukrainians who have been living abroad for a long time and obtaining foreign passports has increased dramatically. The state was faced with a new reality: millions of citizens were integrating into other countries, but at the same time did not want to lose their Ukrainian citizenship. This was the impetus for a review of the approach.

What does the new law mean in practice?

The law, which will come into force in January 2026, officially recognises the right of Ukrainians to have multiple citizenships in certain cases. The main principle is that obtaining a foreign passport will no longer mean the automatic loss of Ukrainian citizenship.

This will allow Ukrainian citizens to legally combine Ukrainian citizenship with citizenship of other countries without the risk of administrative sanctions or legal uncertainty. At the same time, Ukraine will continue to consider such persons as its citizens in internal legal relations with the corresponding rights and obligations.

How will the situation of Ukrainians abroad change?

For those living in Europe, North America or other countries, the law opens up the possibility of full integration: obtaining citizenship of the country of residence, access to social programmes, the labour market and voting rights without having to renounce their Ukrainian passport.

Separately, this simplifies tax, migration and inheritance issues, which were previously often resolved ‘manually’ or through legal loopholes.

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Crossing the border and documents: what will remain unchanged?

Despite the legalisation of multiple citizenship, the procedure for crossing the Ukrainian border remains unchanged. Citizens are still required to use Ukrainian documents to leave and re-enter Ukraine. A foreign passport cannot be used to cross the border from the Ukrainian side.

This is an important point that often causes confusion and should be taken into account when planning to obtain second citizenship.

With which countries will multiple citizenship become a reality?

The new approach provides that multiple citizenship will be possible primarily with countries that have clear, transparent and reciprocal legal mechanisms. Among the countries with which such a format is expected in the first place are the United States, Canada, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.

At the same time, the law opens up the possibility of simplifying the process of obtaining Ukrainian citizenship for foreigners from these countries, which may have a positive impact on the economy, investment and international cooperation.

Why is legal advice essential?

Despite general liberalisation, multiple citizenship remains a complex legal issue. Each country has its own rules on taxation, military service, inheritance and loss of citizenship. Mistakes at the stage of submitting documents or an incorrectly chosen strategy can have serious consequences.

That is why it is worth consulting with specialists before obtaining a second passport or applying for status.

The immigration lawyers at Visit Ukraine help Ukrainians navigate issues of multiple citizenship, legalisation abroad, retaining their Ukrainian passport and complying with all legal requirements. Our specialists work with cases from the USA, Canada, EU countries and other destinations.

Book a personal consultation now to safely plan your status in 2026 and avoid legal risks!

Reminder! Poland is gradually changing its approach to legalising the stay of foreigners, focusing on digital services and clear legal mechanisms. For Ukrainians, this means new opportunities to obtain a residence permit without queues and unnecessary bureaucracy, but at the same time, new requirements and nuances that are important to consider in advance. We discuss the conditions for obtaining a CUKR card and submitting documents through the MOS 2.0 system here.

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