Solutions from Ukraine: Verkhovna Rada passes law allowing multiple citizenship

On June 18, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law to introduce the institution of multiple citizenship in Ukraine. MPs Yaroslav Zhelezniak and Oleksii Honcharenko reported this. Rubryka informs.

243 parliamentarians voted for the relevant bill No. 11469.

MP Iryna Herashchenko noted that by the second reading, the working group had "significantly improved" Zelensky's initiative, including in the bill items on a mandatory exam for knowledge of the Constitution of Ukraine, history, and the Ukrainian language.

"At the same time, the bill does not contain a direct provision prohibiting the simplified acquisition of Ukrainian for citizens of the Russian Federation. The criteria for countries and citizens who have the right to acquire Ukrainian citizenship will be determined by the Cabinet of Ministers," she wrote.

As the Minister of National Unity, Oleksii Chernyshov, noted, the opportunity to have dual citizenship will enable the united Ukrainians at home and abroad to unite. After its adoption, Ukrainians with two passports will have the same rights as those who remained in Ukraine, including the right to vote.

However, when asked whether Ukrainians abroad can vote in the next presidential elections, Chernyshov noted that this is not yet certain.

For reference:

In August 2024, the president submitted a bill on multiple citizenship to the Parliament. In December 2024, lawmakers voted to advance bill No. 11469, which would legalize multiple citizenship under specific circumstances. The bill proposes to allow:

• Children to acquire Ukrainian citizenship alongside another nationality at birth;

• Ukrainian children adopted by foreign citizens retain their Ukrainian citizenship while automatically receiving the citizenship of their adoptive parents;

• Ukrainian citizens will automatically obtain another citizenship through marriage to a foreign national;

• Ukrainian citizens of legal age can automatically gain another nationality if foreign citizenship laws apply to them, even if they have not received official documents confirming this new citizenship;

• Foreigners from designated countries can obtain Ukrainian citizenship through a simplified process;

• Ukrainians need to acquire citizenship in countries whose citizens are eligible for Ukraine's simplified naturalization process.

Zelensky stated that allowing multiple citizenship would help address the situation of Ukrainians who have moved abroad and established new lives there.

Нагадаємо: Отримати український паспорт стане складніше.