President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a draft law on multiple citizenship to the Verkhovna Rada. In particular, the document contains a number of innovations aimed at regulating the possibility of obtaining Ukrainian citizenship by foreigners. Read everything you need to know in our article

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On January 22, the Verkhovna Rada registered the draft law "On Certain Aspects in the Field of Migration, Regarding the Conditions and Procedure for Acquiring and Losing Citizenship of Ukraine" on multiple citizenship, initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This was reported on the official website of the Parliament.

Here's what you should know about the relevant document, which countries also allow multiple citizenship, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of multiple citizenship in Ukraine.

Zelensky submitted a bill on multiple citizenship to the Rada: details

President Zelenskyy emphasized that this draft law will provide an opportunity to obtain Ukrainian citizenship for ethnic Ukrainians and their descendants living in different countries, with the exception of russia.

According to the head of state, this applies to all those who were forced to leave their homeland during the stages of emigration and ended up in Europe, the United States, Canada, Asia, Latin America, as well as those who help Ukraine from abroad.

"This applies to foreign volunteers who stood up to defend Ukraine, all those who are fighting for Ukraine's freedom as if it were their own native land. Ukraine will become their home. For those who believe that being in Ukraine means being at home, not just a tourist," the President emphasizes.

Who can obtain multiple citizenship?

Multiple citizenship (multipatriotism) is a status in which a person can be a citizen of two or more countries under the laws of those countries. At the same time, the Constitution of Ukraine (Article 4) stipulates that there is only one citizenship in Ukraine.

In October 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the opinion that the introduction of multiple citizenship in Ukraine is necessary. However, they also pointed out the need to establish exceptions to the ban on dual citizenship with the aggressor country.

The proposed document envisages the introduction of a declaration of recognition as a citizen of Ukraine. This document allows foreigners who have the right to obtain citizenship under a simplified procedure to declare themselves citizens of Ukraine.

It is stated that such a simplified procedure is provided for foreigners from the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Switzerland and Japan.

Today, multiple citizenship is legal in many countries around the world, and it provides holders of several passports with both benefits and certain obligations.

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Benefits of multiple citizenship

The benefits of multiple citizenship include the ability for a state to maintain ties with its diaspora and attract additional investment. For individuals with two passports, it opens up the possibility of choice in matters of military service, payment of taxes, free border crossing, and use of social services and educational institutions.

Disadvantages of multiple citizenship

However, disadvantages include the possibility of new responsibilities, such as military service in another country. There is also a risk of limiting participation in political life, depending on the rules of the country in which the person has acquired a second citizenship.

Where else in the world is dual citizenship implemented?

Multiple citizenship is legal in 130 countries. Among them are the United States, Canada, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the Vatican.

The procedures for obtaining dual citizenship may vary from country to country. In some, you need to be born in the country, know the language, reside there for a certain period of time, or enter into a marriage. Meanwhile, some countries have restrictions that prohibit dual nationals from holding public office.

We remind you! Earlier, we wrote that Ukrainians can obtain multiple citizenship, but not all of them and only under certain conditions. Find out why the government is introducing such changes in our article.

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