The law on multiple citizenship in Ukraine will be ready by the end of 2025: what is known?

Ukraine is preparing to introduce multiple citizenship by the end of 2025. Find out more about the prospects that will open up for Ukrainians this year

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Ukraine plans to pass a law that will allow its citizens to have more than one passport. This was announced in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov. According to him, the law on multiple citizenship should be ready by the end of 2025. This decision will be a significant step towards the legal recognition of millions of Ukrainians currently living abroad.

What is multiple citizenship and why is it important for Ukrainians?

Multiple or dual citizenship is a legal status whereby a person has citizenship of two or more countries at the same time. In the context of a full-scale war, when millions of Ukrainians have found themselves in other countries, this norm has become extremely relevant. It will allow people who have already obtained passports of other countries not to lose their Ukrainian citizenship, remain part of the Ukrainian nation and, if they wish, return to active civic life in their homeland.

How the bill is being prepared: international experience and the Ukrainian context

The Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine is actively studying international experience, as multiple citizenship is already in place in more than 130 countries around the world. These include countries in the European Union, North America, and Asia, in particular:

● Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Switzerland;

● Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, and the United States;

● Hungary, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Finland, Croatia.

These countries have different approaches: for example, Ireland allows citizenship by descent, Cyprus by investment, and Germany will allow dual citizenship even for non-EU citizens starting in 2024.

Thus, Ukraine is not trying to invent something fundamentally new, but rather to integrate into global practice, making it understandable and accessible to its own citizens.

What are the conditions for multiple citizenship in different countries?

In most countries, certain requirements must be met in order to obtain a second passport:

● live in the country for a certain number of years;

● know the official language;

● have a stable income;

● be integrated into the local community (through marriage, education, business, etc.);

● pass a background check.

At the same time, some countries have restrictions on people with multiple citizenship: they are prohibited from holding public or military office. For example, in the US, such citizens cannot be president or senator, and in Lithuania, dual citizenship is only allowed under certain conditions — for example, if a person was forced to leave due to war or political persecution.

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What does multiple citizenship mean for Ukrainians abroad?

For millions of Ukrainians living in the EU, Canada, the US, or the UK, the adoption of the law will be a real recognition of their situation. People who have obtained another citizenship will be able to:

● keep their Ukrainian passport;

● participate fully in the political and economic life of both countries;

● not worry about losing their inheritance rights, property, or the right to return to Ukraine;

● register a business in Ukraine and invest in the economy.

This is especially important for members of the Ukrainian diaspora who have lived in Canada, the US, or Europe for years but have not lost their ties to Ukraine. From a practical standpoint, this will also simplify the process of providing government services to Ukrainians abroad, particularly through consular offices and a new electronic platform being developed by the Ministry of National Unity.

By the way, if you have another citizenship or plan to obtain it, we recommend that you contact the immigration lawyers at Visit Ukraine, who provide professional advice, help prepare documents, and assist in the process of submitting applications to the authorities of both countries. This is especially important if you do not want to make legal mistakes or violations.

By the way, we talked about which countries a child can obtain citizenship by birth in our previous article.

When to expect the adoption of the law on multiple citizenship in Ukraine?

According to Oleksiy Chernyshov, the law on multiple citizenship should be ready by the end of 2025. However, for its full implementation, it is necessary not only to adopt the document itself, but also to develop instructions for it, adapt subordinate legislation, and inform citizens about the new rules. An electronic platform for Ukrainians abroad, which is currently being actively developed, will play an important role in this. It will become not only a source of information, but also a digital bridge between citizens and the state.

We remind you! The introduction of multiple citizenship in Ukraine opens up new opportunities for Ukrainians and foreigners, but at the same time, the changes carry a number of risks. Read more about the advantages, disadvantages, and legislative changes in Ukraine related to multiple citizenship in our previous article.

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