Multiple citizenship in Ukraine: who will be affected by Zelensky’s new law
8 August 2024 06:26
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has registered a draft law to ensure the exercise of the right to acquire and retain Ukrainian citizenship. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the website of the Verkhovna Rada.
The explanatory note notes that the law will help create conditions for the return of Ukrainians who left the country because of the war, as well as for them to retain their citizenship. In addition, certain categories of foreigners will have the opportunity to obtain Ukrainian citizenship.
The new draft law defines acceptable cases of multiple citizenship, as well as the specifics of acquiring and renewing Ukrainian citizenship for certain categories of foreigners who serve under contract in the Defence Forces.
“The draft law also aims to simplify the procedure for acquiring Ukrainian citizenship and improve the regulation of the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons who, in accordance with the procedure established by Ukrainian legislation, are performing/have performed military service under contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, the National Guard of Ukraine or are one of the spouses of such a person or a child of such a person,” the document says.
The draft law specifies the conditions under which Ukrainian citizenship may be acquired by birth or territorial origin, and also defines the conditions for admission to Ukrainian citizenship.
Multiple citizenship (nationality) is allowed in the following cases
- when a child acquires the citizenship of Ukraine and another country at birth.
- when a child acquires the citizenship of foreign adoptive parents.
- when a Ukrainian citizen acquires another citizenship through marriage with a foreigner.
- when a Ukrainian citizen automatically becomes a citizen of another country in accordance with the legislation of that country, without obtaining a supporting document.
- when foreigners from countries included in a special list obtain Ukrainian citizenship under a simplified procedure.
- when a Ukrainian citizen acquires citizenship of countries whose citizens can obtain Ukrainian citizenship under a simplified procedure.
At the same time, multiple citizenship is not allowed for persons who have the citizenship of a state recognised by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine as an aggressor or occupier, or a state that does not recognise the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, in particular, voted against the UN General Assembly Resolution “On the Territorial Integrity of Ukraine” of 27 March 2014 No. 68/262.
