In 2026, Ukraine is transitioning to a new model of working with citizenship, which will affect hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians abroad. The topic of dual citizenship in Ukraine has become especially relevant in wartime, when millions of our citizens are forced to live outside the borders of the state. 

BlueBird Tech, a Ukrainian producer of military technologies, created this material for the military, veterans, their families, volunteers, and all Ukrainians who strive to understand what dual (multiple) citizenship is, for whom procedures will be simplified, which limitations will come into effect, and why knowledge of these rules is important precisely now.

What Dual Citizenship Means

Dual citizenship is a state when a person simultaneously belongs to two or more states. 

In order to correctly understand how the system of multiple citizenship works, it is worth first knowing what the citizenship of Ukraine is and which rights and duties it forms.

Dual citizenship implies that a person receives rights and duties in several countries at once, which affects the sphere of security, taxation, social payments, and responsibility.

In Ukraine, for many years a model of de facto single citizenship was in effect: regardless of how many passports a person had, legally they were recognized exclusively as a citizen of Ukraine.

However, because of the war and large-scale migration, the state is transitioning to a regulated and controlled system of dual and multiple citizenship, which will come into effect from 2026.

Which Legal Consequences Dual Citizenship Has

Dual citizenship can have the following consequences:

  • a person will have duties and rights before two states at once;
  • various tax and legal obligations arise;
  • certain countries can require military service;
  • Ukraine cannot always ensure consular protection;
  • access to the civil service and the security sector will be limited.

How the Law on Citizenship Changes From 2026

Ukraine is transitioning to a model that allows having several citizenships, but with clear limitations and requirements. The provisions described below are based on:

  • Law of Ukraine No. 4502-IX dated 18.06.2025 «On amendments to certain laws of Ukraine regarding the ensuring of the realization of the right to the acquisition and preservation of the citizenship of Ukraine» (comes into effect 16.01.2026);
  • related amendments to the laws «On Immigration» and «On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons».

The main changes:

1. Multiple citizenship will become legal for Ukrainians abroad.

Citizens of Ukraine who received passports of the countries of the EU, the USA, Canada, Great Britain, and other states defined by the Cabinet of Ministers as those whose citizens can acquire the citizenship of Ukraine in a simplified order will be able to officially preserve Ukrainian citizenship.

2. The status of “declared foreign citizenship” is introduced

A person who has the passport of another state will have to declare this before Ukraine — by means of submitting the corresponding declaration or an obligation to terminate the foreign citizenship.

3. Rights are preserved, but with limitations

Persons with multiple citizenship will be able to use most of the rights of citizens of Ukraine, but limitations are established for them in the spheres of:

  • defense and military service;
  • access to the civil service;
  • work in the security and defense sector;
  • access to the state secret.

These limitations follow from the updated norms of the Law «On the Citizenship of Ukraine», and are also connected with the requirements of the laws «On the Civil Service», «On the National Security of Ukraine», «On the State Secret», to which the Cabinet of Ministers must prepare amendments according to the Final Provisions of Law No. 4502-IX.

4. Gradual implementation

The law provides for a smooth transition, which will include:

  • the creation and maintenance of a register of declared citizenship;
  • the updating of procedures of access to the civil service;
  • a simplified order for Ukrainians from partner states;
  • the adaptation of forms of applications, declarations, and other documents.

This is directly indicated in section II “Final and Transitional Provisions” of Law No. 4502-IX, where it is also established that the law comes into effect six months after publication, and certain norms from the day following publication.

The Limit of the Permitted: Citizenship With Aggressor Countries

Ukraine will categorically prohibit multiple citizenship with aggressor states, in particular:

  • russia,
  • Belarus,
  • states that take part in the occupation of or aggression against Ukraine.

Such passports:

  • will not be legalized,
  • will not allow the preservation of Ukrainian citizenship,
  • entail checks and risks for state security.

Who Will Be Prohibited From Dual Citizenship

The law establishes categories that will not have the right to multiple citizenship:

1) The military and employees of the defense sector

All who have access to classified information, armament, or defense infrastructure.

2) Civil servants

Judges, prosecutors, deputies, government officials, diplomats.

3) Employees of the security sector

The SBU, the National Police, the SBI, border guards, intelligence, and other structures responsible for security.

4) Persons whose citizenship is connected with risks

Above all, holders of passports of aggressor states.

When the New Law Will Come Into Effect and How the Transition Will Take Place

Law No. 4502-IX comes into effect on 16 January 2026 (six months after publication). The transition provides for:

  • the possibility to submit declarations (about the renunciation of foreign citizenship, about recognizing oneself as a citizen of Ukraine) in the transitional period for those who already acquired the citizenship of Ukraine earlier;
  • the updating of procedures of the processing of citizenship, immigration, and documents for foreigners;
  • the launch of a mechanism of the simplified acquisition of citizenship for the citizens of certain partner states;
  • the bringing into correspondence of other laws (on the civil service, security, immigration, language).

During the period of war, the correct declaration of multiple citizenship is especially important, since it affects:

  • military duty and the possibility of service in the AFU;
  • access to the civil service and positions in the security sector;
  • consular protection abroad;
  • social guarantees and the application of the laws of Ukraine to the person.

How the Updated Legislation on Citizenship and Military Technologies Work for a Common Victory

The transition of Ukraine to a regulated system of dual and multiple citizenship from 2026 opens new possibilities for Ukrainians abroad, allowing them to legally preserve a Ukrainian passport in partner countries. At the same time, the law establishes clear limitations for the spheres of defense, the civil service, and access to classified information, and also prohibits multiple citizenship with aggressor states. The smooth transition provides for the creation of a register of declared citizenship and the updating of procedures so that citizens can adapt to the new rules without unnecessary difficulties.