How to Obtain Ukrainian Citizenship by Descent: Changes in 2026

Do you have Ukrainian roots? This is not just an interesting fact from your biography, but a legal ground for obtaining Ukrainian citizenship under a simplified procedure.

Many people do not even realize that they may be entitled to a Ukrainian passport. This right is already guaranteed by law simply because they themselves, or their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents lived on the territory of present-day Ukraine before August 24, 1991, or were born on such territory.

In January 2026, a new version of Article 8 of the Law of Ukraine “On Citizenship of Ukraine” enters into force. It not only clarifies key requirements, but also introduces important changes for people with Ukrainian roots who plan to obtain a Ukrainian passport.

In this article, we focus on the practical aspects: who exactly falls under Article 8 in 2026, what evidence of origin is currently recognized by the State Migration Service, and for whom the possibility of multiple citizenship becomes available.

Who Is Eligible for Citizenship by Territorial Origin

The grounds are considered confirmed if you yourself or your relatives (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, siblings, children, or grandchildren) had a connection with Ukrainian territory or with historical Ukrainian state entities.

This means that you or your close relatives permanently resided or were born on territories that became part of Ukraine in accordance with the Law on Succession, or on the territories of:

• the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UPR) and the West Ukrainian People’s Republic (ZUNR);
• the Ukrainian State;
• the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic;
• Carpathian Ukraine;
• the Ukrainian SSR;
• the Crimean People’s Republic and the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

A separate category includes persons who were born in Ukraine after August 24, 1991. You may acquire citizenship by territorial origin if, at the time of your birth:

• both parents were foreign nationals who permanently resided in Ukraine; or
• one parent was a foreign national with permanent residence in Ukraine, and the other was a recognized refugee, a person granted asylum, or a stateless person.

Key change in 2026: a clear legal provision now allows such a person, upon reaching adulthood, to independently apply for Ukrainian citizenship if their parents did not obtain Ukrainian citizenship for them earlier.

Successful case: Citizenship for Children by Territorial Origin and Legalization of Parents

Where the Difficulty Lies: Key Barriers in Obtaining Ukrainian Citizenship by Territorial Origin

In practice, the main obstacle is not the law itself, but bureaucratic filters. Most applicants face the following challenges:

1. Proper confirmation of family ties. This includes locating and formalizing archival documents, as well as collecting additional evidence to prove permanent residence.
2. Obtaining court decisions to establish legal facts, such as permanent residence, family relationships, or birth in specific territories.
3. Meeting the new legal requirements. The updated law introduces mandatory knowledge of the fundamentals of the Constitution of Ukraine and Ukrainian history, as well as proficiency in the Ukrainian language, which must be confirmed by successfully passing the relevant examinations.
4. Refusals due to formal errors. Even a minor mistake in transliteration or document formatting can result in the entire application package being returned.

How to File an Application for Citizenship: List of Required Documents

Once all legal facts have been established and the evidence has been collected, the formal application stage begins. To ensure that your application for Ukrainian citizenship is accepted for review on the first attempt, you must submit a clearly defined set of documents:

• An application, which also includes your consent to recognize and comply with the Constitution and laws of Ukraine.
• Examination documents: a certificate confirming successful completion of exams on the fundamentals of the Constitution of Ukraine, the history of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian language. For contract military personnel, a written commitment to pass these exams at a later date may be submitted.
• A criminal record certificate: a document confirming the absence of a criminal record in the foreign country or countries of permanent residence.
• Citizenship declaration: a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship or, for certain countries, a declaration recognizing oneself as a citizen of Ukraine.
• An obligation to terminate foreign citizenship (for countries not included in the simplified list).
• A foreign passport document (with a translation).
• Proof of territorial origin: documents confirming permanent residence or birth of you or your relatives on the territory of Ukraine.

Multiple Citizenship

In January 2026, long-awaited changes regarding multiple citizenship also enter into force. These changes allow a foreign national acquiring Ukrainian citizenship not to renounce their existing citizenship, but instead to declaratively recognize themselves as a citizen of Ukraine.

This is a simplified procedure for acquiring Ukrainian citizenship. As of now, it applies only to citizens of five countries:

• the United States of America;
• Canada;
• Germany;
• Poland;
• the Czech Republic.

This means that citizens of these countries may obtain a Ukrainian passport while lawfully retaining their original citizenship.

You might also like: Dual and Multiple Citizenship in Ukraine: What You Need to Know and How to Act Legally

Legal Support: A Turnkey Path to Ukrainian Citizenship

Our migration lawyer supports clients from the initial verification of eligibility all the way to obtaining a positive decision on acquiring Ukrainian citizenship. We handle all the routine work, including:

• analysis of your personal situation and family history;
• assessment of your chances before documents are submitted;
• preparation of the complete document package;
• support in interactions with government authorities.

What our clients gain:

1. Qualified support from a migration lawyer who has been practicing in this field since 2012.
2. Minimal involvement on your part, because we value your time.
3. Maximum legal accuracy and avoidance of formal refusals.
4. A transparent process with realistic timelines.

If your family has Ukrainian roots, it is worth checking what opportunities this opens specifically for you.

Contact us, and we will honestly tell you whether you have grounds for obtaining Ukrainian citizenship and which path will be optimal in your situation.