Multiple citizenship in Ukraine

Multiple citizenship in Ukraine

Multiple citizenship (multipatridism) is a citizenship status under which a person is recognised as a citizen of two or more countries under the laws of those countries. It is assumed that the states conclude a bilateral agreement in which they mutually recognise the status of a person holding two passports, along with their rights and obligations. However, the Constitution of Ukraine (Article 4) states that there is a single citizenship in Ukraine.

Who will be able to obtain multiple citizenship in Ukraine

According to what is planned, multiple citizenship will be available to all ethnic Ukrainians and their descendants in countries around the world, with the exception of citizens of Russia.

In particular, Ukrainian citizenship will be open to all Ukrainians who emigrated from Ukraine at various times and settled in Europe, the USA, Canada, Asia and Latin America.

Multiple citizenship will also be available to

– people of Ukrainian origin who have already demonstrated their connection with Ukrainian culture and spirituality;

– foreign nationals who provide assistance to Ukraine;

– foreign volunteers taking part in the defence of our state.

Today multiple citizenship is permitted in 130 countries. It brings holders of several passports both advantages and certain obligations.

On Tuesday 6 February the Committee on Human Rights, Deoccupation and Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, National Minorities and Interethnic Relations expressed its support for the bill on multiple citizenship initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

This is according to information published on the parliament’s official website. The bill in question is No. 10425, submitted by the President of Ukraine and registered on 22 January 2024, entitled “Draft Law on Certain Issues in the Field of Migration Concerning the Grounds and Procedure for Acquiring and Terminating Citizenship of Ukraine”.

“The bill updates the provisions of legislation on migration and citizenship, in particular concerning the grounds and procedure for acquiring and terminating citizenship of Ukraine, and improves the legal regulation of the status of foreign nationals and stateless persons who, as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other formations established in accordance with the law, take part in defending the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the statement reads.

It is also noted that Zelensky designated the document as urgent.

As a reminder, on 21 January President V. Zelensky submitted the bill on multiple citizenship to the Verkhovna Rada, and it was registered the following day. He explained that Ukrainian citizenship will be open to all Ukrainians who were forced to leave the country during the various waves of emigration.