Dual Citizenship in Ukraine in 2026: What Is Permitted, What Is Prohibited, and What Are the Consequences
On January 16, 2026, Law of Ukraine No. 4502-IX came into force, significantly changing the state's approach to multiple citizenship. If the answer to the question "can I hold two passports?" used to be relatively straightforward, the answer now depends on who you are, how you acquired Ukrainian citizenship, and which country's passport you hold.
Here is what changed and what it means in practice.
Is Dual Citizenship Prohibited in Ukraine?
There is no direct prohibition on multiple citizenship in Ukrainian law — and this has not changed. The Constitution of Ukraine establishes the principle of single citizenship, but this means only that Ukraine cannot have citizenship of individual regions or cities — it is not a prohibition on holding passports of other states.
The Law of Ukraine "On Ukrainian Citizenship" also directly provides that if a Ukrainian citizen acquires citizenship of another state — in legal relations with Ukraine they are recognised only as a Ukrainian citizen.
However, as of January 16, 2026, a fundamentally new norm has appeared: the state has for the first time officially recognised and regulated multiple citizenship — but only for certain categories of persons and certain states.
For Whom Is Multiple Citizenship Officially Permitted?
Citizens of Five States
Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1412 of 05.11.2025 defines the list of states whose citizens may acquire Ukrainian citizenship without renouncing their own:
- Canada;
- Germany;
- Poland;
- the USA;
- the Czech Republic.
Citizens of these countries, upon acquiring Ukrainian citizenship, submit a declaration recognising themselves as a Ukrainian citizen — and retain both passports. Renunciation of foreign citizenship is not required.
UPD: On 12 May 2026, the Government expanded the list of countries whose citizens may obtain Ukrainian citizenship under the simplified procedure. The following countries have now been added to the list:
Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; the United Kingdom; Greece; Denmark; Estonia; Ireland; Iceland; Spain; Italy; Cyprus; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; the Netherlands; Norway; Portugal; Romania; Slovakia; Slovenia; Hungary; Finland; France; Croatia; Switzerland; Sweden.
Certain Preferential Categories
Regardless of the country of citizenship, the following submit a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship and recognition of themselves as Ukrainian citizens only instead of the full exit procedure:
- military personnel of the AFU, State Special Communications Service, National Guard (active and discharged on certain grounds) and their family members;
- persons subjected to politically motivated persecution (Russian citizens), their spouses and children;
- holders of a temporary residence permit under Parts 20 and 24 of Art. 4 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners and their family members;
- persons with outstanding merits to Ukraine or of state interest and their family members;
- refugees and persons with asylum in Ukraine;
- persons whose state's legislation provides for automatic termination of citizenship upon acquiring another.
Children Under the Age of Majority
Children may hold multiple citizenships simultaneously — this is not prohibited. The requirement to renounce foreign citizenship does not apply to them.
For Whom Is Multiple Citizenship Prohibited?
As of January 16, 2026, a direct prohibition on multiple citizenship with aggressor states has been introduced.
Voluntary acquisition of the citizenship of an aggressor state is grounds for loss of Ukrainian citizenship. As of April 2026, the only officially recognised aggressor state is the Russian Federation (Verkhovna Rada Resolution of 27.01.2015 No. 1854-VII).
Is There a Fine for Dual Citizenship?
No. There is no fine for holding multiple citizenship in Ukraine — and there never has been. Law No. 4502-IX introduced no penalties for this.
The myth of a fine has existed since 2012 — at that time, a bill containing such a provision was indeed considered in the Verkhovna Rada, but the President did not sign it and it never came into force.
What Are the Consequences of Breaching the Commitment?
If a person acquired Ukrainian citizenship through naturalisation (by territorial origin or Presidential Decree), made a commitment to renounce foreign citizenship, but failed to fulfil it within 2 years — the following consequences arise:
- Ukrainian citizenship is annulled;
- Ukrainian documents are confiscated;
- reapplication for citizenship is not possible.
The same applies to persons who submitted a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship but continued to exercise the rights of a foreign citizen — for example, performed legally significant actions using a foreign passport.
What Changed Compared to the Previous Version of the Law?
Before January 16, 2026:
- multiple citizenship was not officially recognised or regulated — it existed de facto, was ignored de jure;
- everyone who acquired citizenship by territorial origin or Presidential Decree was required to renounce foreign citizenship — with no exceptions based on the country;
- the concept of a "declaration recognising oneself as a Ukrainian citizen" did not exist at all;
- for certain cases (impossibility of exit, excessive state fee, legislation of the foreign state did not provide for exit) — it was possible to submit a commitment not to exercise the rights of a foreign citizen instead of actually exiting;
- there was no direct prohibition on citizenship of aggressor states as grounds for loss of Ukrainian citizenship.
As of January 16, 2026:
- the possibility of holding two passports simultaneously has been legally recognised for the first time — for citizens of 5 states (Canada, Germany, Poland, the USA, the Czech Republic);
- new documents have been introduced — a declaration recognising oneself as a Ukrainian citizen and a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship;
- a direct prohibition and sanction (loss of citizenship) for voluntary acquisition of a passport of an aggressor state has been introduced;
- the list of preferential categories who submit a declaration instead of the full exit procedure has been expanded.
