Has a Ukrainian citizen lost Ukrainian citizenship after obtaining Polish citizenship?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions by Ukrainian citizens who obtained Polish citizenship several or a dozen years ago and now want to determine their legal status in Ukraine.

Contrary to popular belief, obtaining Polish citizenship does not automatically result in the loss of Ukrainian citizenship. Assessing citizenship status requires a case-by-case analysis of the individual's situation and the regulations in force at the time of acquisition.

It is crucial to determine whether a given person has been subjected to a procedure for loss of Ukrainian citizenship and whether the relevant Ukrainian authorities have issued a decision in this regard. In practice, many people who have acquired Polish citizenship have never undergone the formal procedure for withdrawing Ukrainian citizenship. Therefore, the mere fact of acquiring Polish citizenship does not necessarily mean the loss of Ukrainian citizenship.

Before taking any action, it is worth analyzing the collected documentation, in particular:

• existing Ukrainian passports (internal and foreign),

• decision or resolution regarding the acquisition of Polish citizenship,

• documents issued by Ukrainian authorities regarding citizenship,

• certificates and correspondence with Ukrainian consular offices,

• other documents that may confirm citizenship status.

Expert recommendation

One of the most common misconceptions is that obtaining Polish citizenship automatically results in the loss of Ukrainian citizenship. In many cases, this assumption proves incorrect. Before initiating the process of regaining Ukrainian citizenship or taking other legal action, it is important to first determine the actual citizenship status and analyze the documents in your possession. Only then can you assess whether further proceedings before the relevant Ukrainian authorities are necessary.