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Rada targets final vote on dual-/multiple-citizenship bill — June 18

by Roman Cheplyk
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
2 MIN
Rada targets final vote on dual-/multiple-citizenship bill — June 18

Legislators began working through amendments on 17 June and intend to pass the draft law in its second (final) reading at Tuesday’s plenary sitting

What is on the table?

Draft law Core proposal Current status
№ 11469 “On amendments to certain laws of Ukraine to ensure the right to acquire and retain citizenship of Ukraine” Legalises dual and multiple citizenship for Ukrainians (with carve-outs for Russia and other hostile states) Amendments under review; final vote scheduled for 18 June 2025

Key provisions (as they stand today)

  1. Retention of Ukrainian passport

    • Citizens will no longer be required to renounce Ukrainian citizenship when acquiring most foreign passports.

  2. Security filters

    • No dual citizenship will be recognised with countries that occupy Ukrainian territory or are deemed hostile (e.g., Russia).

  3. Obligations preserved

    • Military service, tax, and anti-corruption disclosure duties remain for all Ukrainians, including those holding second passports.

  4. Diaspora outreach

    • Simplified naturalisation for ethnic Ukrainians and their descendants abroad; pathways for large diaspora communities in Canada, the U.S., EU, etc.


Government view: no “brain drain” risk

“Multiple citizenship will not trigger a mass outflow. On the contrary, it is a tool to tighten links with our 6-million-strong diaspora and encourage returnees for reconstruction,”
Oleksii Chernyshov, Deputy PM for National Unity

Officials argue that post-war rebuilding and economic reforms will attract skills and capital back to Ukraine, while the bill simply removes legal frictions for Ukrainians who already live abroad.


Next steps

Date Action
17 Jun MPs work through remaining amendments in committee and on the floor
18 Jun Planned final vote; requires simple majority (226+)
July 2025 If signed by the President, law enters into force after publication; implementing bylaws to follow within 6 months

Why it matters for investors

  • Access to Ukraine’s skilled diaspora talent pool could accelerate labour-market recovery and tech-sector growth.

  • Clear rules on citizenship reduce compliance ambiguity for international executives relocating to Ukraine’s post-war projects.

  • Signals further alignment with EU practices, supporting Ukraine’s accession narrative.

Stay tuned for the final vote outcome and any last-minute textual changes.

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