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Multiple Citizenship Legalized: Ukraine’s Parliament Passes Landmark Dual Passport Law
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![Amira_barkhush]( "Photo of Amira Barkhush")
Ukraine’s parliament has adopted a bill on multiple citizenship in its second reading, with 243 lawmakers voting in favor, Holos party lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak stated on June 18.
The bill, which was initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was supported by 243 members of parliament.
The legislation allows Ukrainian citizens to hold passports from multiple countries and defines the conditions for multiple citizenship. It stipulates that foreign citizenship can be acquired while retaining Ukrainian citizenship. Under the bill, foreign nationals will also be eligible to obtain a Ukrainian passport.
According to Olena Shuliak, leader of the Servant of the People party, the legislative changes will help “maintain ties with millions of Ukrainians who were forced to leave during the full-scale war and earlier, attract foreign investment, and align Ukraine with European standards.”
The bill allows multiple citizenship for Ukrainians in several cases. A child can acquire Ukrainian and foreign citizenship at birth or gain the citizenship of foreign adoptive parents.
Ukrainians may automatically obtain another citizenship through marriage or under foreign laws if they do not hold documents confirming their citizenship. Ukrainians can also acquire the citizenship of countries whose citizens are eligible for Ukrainian citizenship under simplified rules, and foreigners can become Ukrainian citizens through a simplified procedure.
For foreigners, the law makes it easier for people of Ukrainian descent to get citizenship more quickly and introduces a clear process for those without Ukrainian roots.
Foreigners can keep their existing citizenship when becoming Ukrainian citizens, unless they hold citizenship of an aggressor state.
The law also simplifies citizenship for foreigners serving in Ukraine’s military and provides for granting citizenship to those facing political persecution in their home countries.
