Ukraine has added Romania to the list of countries whose citizens can obtain Ukrainian citizenship through a simplified procedure.

On May 8, 2026, the Ukrainian government adopted a decree that expands the list of countries whose citizens can obtain Ukrainian citizenship through a simplified procedure, including Romania. Previously, the list contained only five states: Canada, Germany, Poland, the USA, and the Czech Republic.

The new legislation allows Ukrainian citizens to acquire a second citizenship without renouncing their Ukrainian citizenship, thus facilitating the process for ethnic Ukrainians in these countries. This decision came after diplomatic controversies, as Romania was initially omitted from the list, causing discontent in the Romanian community in Ukraine.

Lawyer Eugen Pătraș emphasized that the initial limitation of the list was an undervaluation of Romania. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the legislative changes refer to facilitating the acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship, without affecting individuals who already hold Ukrainian citizenship.