Eligibility quiz
Were you, your parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, full or half sibling, child or grandchild born or living permanently before 24 August 1991 in what became Ukrainian territory or in a qualifying former Ukrainian or Crimean state?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Ukrainian passport
Ukrainian citizens can get a foreign passport and hold up to two at once.
A passport is valid for four years for children under 16 and ten years from age 16.
Live in Ukraine for life
Ukrainian citizens have the right to live in Ukraine and return, even after living abroad permanently.
They cannot be expelled from Ukraine or sent to another country to face its authorities.
Study in Ukraine
Ukrainian citizens can study at all levels.
Free education includes general secondary, vocational, specialist pre-higher and higher education, but publicly funded places are subject to conditions.
Work in Ukraine
Ukrainian citizens can work and choose their occupation, with equal opportunities in professions and in job training and retraining.
Get help abroad
Ukrainian consulates can help protect your rights, give information and practical help, and assist during illness or an emergency.
They can be notified if you are arrested or detained.
If you lose your passport abroad, you can get a return document to travel back to Ukraine.
Vote and run for office
Ukrainian citizens can vote in elections and referendums from age 18, unless a court has found them legally incapable.
Citizens can also be elected and take part in running state affairs.
Use public healthcare
Ukrainian citizens have the right to health protection, medical care and medical insurance.
State and local public health institutions provide free care within the public healthcare system.
Get social support
Citizens can get social protection for disability, loss of a breadwinner, involuntary unemployment or old age if they meet the conditions.
People receiving social services have rights to information, dignity, privacy, a choice of provider and an assessment of their needs.
They can also refuse services where the law allows.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the State Migration Service office serving the place where you live in Ukraine.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Ukraine State Migration Service office serves your city for citizenship applications?”
Get the application form
Get the application form for Ukrainian citizenship by territorial origin from the State Migration Service.
Find the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the Ukraine State Migration Service application form for citizenship by territorial origin?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the application. For a child, a parent or other legal representative applies; a child aged 14–18 must also give written consent.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Ukraine State Migration Service application for citizenship by territorial origin?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the State Migration Service office.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Use the State Migration Service electronic queue to book an appointment if your office offers one for this service. Otherwise, follow your office’s instructions for applying in person.
Book an appointmentHand in your application
Go to the State Migration Service office with your application and your original documents and copies. For a child, the parent or other legal representative applies; give the office your Ukrainian address and email address if you have one.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I hand in an application for Ukraine State Migration Service citizenship by territorial origin in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the State Migration Service to decide your application. Answer any questions or requests for more documents from the office.
See decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Ukraine State Migration Service citizenship by territorial origin application take?”
Collect your certificate
Once approved, collect your certificate of registration as a Ukrainian citizen from the State Migration Service office that decided the application. For a child, the parent or other legal representative collects it; the certificate lets you apply for a Ukrainian passport or temporary certificate.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect a Ukraine State Migration Service certificate of registration as a citizen after an application by territorial origin?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate to show your relationship to your Ukrainian parent. If you use your parent's birth to show their connection to Ukraine, get their birth record showing where and when they were born. If you were adopted, add the adoption decision; if a record cannot be obtained, a court decision establishing the fact may be used as supporting evidence.
Marriage certificates *
Get the marriage certificates that explain the different names on your family records. Include divorce or name-change records if they are needed to explain a change of name.
* Only if a name change needs to be explained.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParent's residence record *
Get a record showing where your Ukrainian parent lived permanently before 24 August 1991. Ask the office or archive that holds the record; if the fact cannot otherwise be established, a court decision may be used as supporting evidence.
* Only if you use your parent's residence to show their connection to Ukraine.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Tax residence
If other tests do not settle where you are a tax resident, Ukrainian citizenship can be a deciding factor.
Ukrainian tax residents are taxed on income from Ukraine and abroad.
Foreign tax may be credited when the law and a treaty allow it and the required evidence is supplied.
Military registration and service
Citizens subject to military registration must register, including when living abroad temporarily or permanently.
Medically fit men who are liable can be called to basic military service from age 18 until 25; women serve voluntarily.
Other duties, including mobilisation, depend on the rules for each group.
Citizenship can be lost
Citizenship can end by giving it up or under an international treaty, but not merely by submitting a request.
In cases set by law, it can be lost for voluntarily acquiring another citizenship, entering another country's military, or obtaining Ukrainian citizenship by deception or false documents.
A formal decision or document is needed.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expat Ukraine
Ukrainian Facebook group for people living in Ukraine interested in Ukrainian local life
Join on Facebookr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on Redditr/europe
English Reddit group for people interested in local life in Europe
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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