Law on Multiple Citizenship: Red Line and Risks

The era of single citizenship is officially transforming in Ukraine. Another innovation in 2026 is the relevant Law No. 4502-IX, which introduces the institution of multiple citizenship, which the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted last year. It came into force onJanuary 16.

List of friendly states

The key change in this law is the introduction of a list of friendly states.

The absence of this list in the law itself means that the key conditions for its implementation will be determined by the government after it comes into force.

For example, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine must approve a list of countries whose citizens will be able to obtain a Ukrainian passport under a simplified procedure. In relations with Ukraine, such persons will be recognized only as citizens of Ukraine on the basis of a declaration. According to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, priority will be given to the EU, G7, and countries that actively support the territorial integrity of Ukraine when compiling the list.

Which passports will be subject to revocation of Ukrainian citizenship

The law clearly distinguishes between partnerships and threats to national security. Multiple citizenship is strictly prohibited for persons holding a passport of the Russian Federation or states that do not recognize Ukraine's sovereignty.

This is a kind of "red line". It is noted that if a citizen of Ukraine independently acquires a passport of the Russian Federation or another country outside the "simplified list", this will be a legal basis for the immediate loss of the Ukrainian passport.

Political refugees receive special conditions

The new law simplifies the problem of political refugees from the Russian Federation. Persons who have been persecuted in the aggressor country because of their support for Ukraine can now file a declaration of renunciation of Russian citizenship in Ukraine. This frees them from the need to go through the official procedure of renouncing their citizenship through the Russian authorities, which was often impossible due to the threat of arrest.

Who is entitled to multiple citizenship

The law, which comes into force on February 16, legalizes cases when Ukrainians can hold documents of other states without the risk of losing their national passport:

First of all, this applies to children who acquired multiple citizenships by birth or were adopted by foreigners.
The right to two passports is also retained by Ukrainians who automatically acquired foreign citizenship through marriage.

Citizenship applicants will have to pass an "educational qualification" and exams

The law stipulates that foreigners wishing to obtain the Ukrainian trident in their passports will be subject to a strict "educational qualification". Applicants must prove their knowledge in three areas:

State language (according to the standards of the National Commission);
Fundamentals of the Constitution of Ukraine;
History of Ukraine.

An exception has been made for foreign volunteers serving in the Armed Forces, National Guard or State Special Transport Service. They can obtain citizenship under a simplified scheme by undertaking to pass these exams within a certain period of time after they have acquired the status of a citizen. The simplified procedure is provided not only for foreign military personnel themselves, but also for family members of fallen heroes.

Restrictions on the rights of applicants for citizenship

The Government of Ukraine is currently developing a list of positions that cannot be held by persons with multiple citizenship. In particular, this includes civil service, work in security agencies, and access to state secrets.

Access to the Ukrainian land market has been simplified for foreigners

According to the Agrarian Weekly, the Law on Multiple Citizenship contains risks. Based on its content, a person will be able to purchase agricultural land in a simplified manner immediately after acquiring Ukrainian citizenship: amendments to postpone this possibility for 3 or 5 years were rejected.

Володимир Шкаєв