In an attempt to ease a demographic crisis caused by Russia’s war, Ukrainian parliament has passed a law to allow Ukrainians to have multiple citizenship.
The bill was passed by 243 votes, while 19 voted against it. In particular, nine MPs abstained from voting.
Previously, Ukrainian law did not recognise dual or multiple citizenship, meaning that ethnic Ukrainians living outside the country and holding other passports had to renounce their other citizenship if they wanted a Ukrainian passport.
The change will help millions of Ukrainians living abroad, who until now could not get a second citizenship of their host country, despite significant practical benefits.
The Law on Multiple Citizenship provides for Ukrainians to have the possibility to have foreign citizenship without the threat of losing Ukrainian citizenship, if this citizenship is obtained from a state included in a special list approved by the government.
It also provides the right to officially acquire the citizenship of another state without the obligation to renounce Ukrainian citizenship, provided that this state is included in the government’s list.
For citizens of other countries, the Law on Multiple Citizenship ensures the right to acquire Ukrainian citizenship under a simplified procedure for persons of Ukrainian origin, introduction of a new procedure for acquiring citizenship for foreigners without Ukrainian ethnic roots and the possibility to retain the existing citizenship while obtaining Ukrainian citizenship “except in cases of citizenship of the aggressor state.”
It also provides simplified acquisition of citizenship for foreigners serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and the right to Ukrainian citizenship for persons subject to political persecution.
Back in October 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine announced its support for the idea of introducing multiple citizenship.
In January 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a draft law to the Ukrainian parliament. In November, when presenting the Internal Resilience Plan to the parliament, he emphasized the importance of the institution in Ukraine.
In December, during the first reading, the parliament supported the draft law on the introduction of multiple citizenship in Ukraine as a basis.
In early May 2025, the Minister of National Unity of Ukraine, Oleksii Chernyshov, said that the government was working on the law and that it could be ready by the end of 2025.
Move To Enhance Ties With Ukrainian Diaspora
In a social media post on Facebook after the vote, Oleksiy Chernyshov, Ukraine’s Minister for unity, noted, “This decision is an important step to maintain and restore ties with millions of Ukrainians around the world.”
Government officials have estimated the Ukrainian diaspora at about 25 million people. Government and Analysts estimate the population in the country at about 32 million people now.
Multiple citizenship will allow Ukrainians who were forced to go abroad during the Russian full-scale invasion to maintain ties with Ukraine.
This step will also help attract investments and specialists from abroad and recognize the contribution of the diaspora to the development and defense of the state.
Lawmakers said the new law would simplify procedures for children born to Ukrainian parents abroad and also for Ukrainians who obtain other citizenship by marriage.
It will also make it easier to obtain Ukrainian citizenship for foreigners fighting for Ukraine on the frontlines.
The law does not directly ban Russian citizens from obtaining Ukrainian passports but says the government will be able to implement restrictions related to the armed aggression against Ukraine.
Foreigners would have to pass a test to prove their knowledge of the Ukrainian language, history and constitution.
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