What exams are required to obtain Ukrainian citizenship?

To apply for Ukrainian citizenship, foreigners must pass three main exams: the basics of the Constitution of Ukraine, the history of Ukraine, and a Ukrainian language proficiency test. While the Constitution and history exams are managed by the Testing Center at the State Institution "Scientific and Methodological Centre," the language certificate must be issued by the National Commission on State Language Standards.

How many questions are on the Ukrainian Constitution and history exams?

The exam consists of a total of 45 questions: 20 questions regarding the Constitution of Ukraine and 25 questions regarding Ukrainian history. To pass, candidates must provide at least 15 correct answers on the Constitution section and at least 20 correct answers on the history section.

What happens if I fail the Ukrainian citizenship exam?

If a candidate does not achieve the minimum passing score, they are permitted to retake the exams. However, retakes are limited to no more than once every four months. There is no limit on the total number of times a candidate can attempt the exams, and results can be appealed through administrative or court procedures if necessary.

How long is the Ukrainian citizenship exam certificate valid?

Once a candidate successfully passes the exams on the basics of the Constitution and the history of Ukraine, they receive a certificate of completion. This specific certificate remains valid indefinitely, meaning it does not expire and can be used for a citizenship application at any time in the future.

The Path to Ukrainian Citizenship: Constitution and History Exams

The Law of Ukraine, adopted on March 21, 2023, introduced exams on the basics of the Constitution and the history of Ukraine for foreigners who want to apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

Since then, foreigners have not been able to exercise their right to acquire Ukrainian citizenship in practice, as there was no mechanism for taking the exams.

Starting from February this year, this opportunity has become available.

A Testing Center for the Basics of the Constitution and the History of Ukraine has been opened at the State Institution “Scientific and Methodological Centre for Higher and Professional Pre-Higher Education.” This center is responsible for organizing and conducting the exams for individuals aspiring to become Ukrainian citizens.

The exams are fee-based. Registration can be completed on the Center’s website through a personal account.

A test database has been created to assess knowledge in these subjects, consisting of 350 questions: 190 on the history of Ukraine and 160 on the basics of the Constitution of Ukraine.

The exam includes 45 questions: 20 on the Constitution and 25 on history. The exam is considered successfully passed if the candidate provides at least 15 correct answers on the Constitution and 20 correct answers on history. Candidates are given 45 minutes for each section, meaning the total exam duration is 90 minutes.

A certificate is issued upon successful completion, which remains valid indefinitely.

Candidates can retake the exams an unlimited number of times but no more than once every four months.

Exam results can be appealed through an administrative procedure or in court.

On the website of Center, you can find:

We remind you that, in addition to the certificate of knowledge of Ukrainian history and the Constitution, applying for Ukrainian citizenship also requires a certificate of proficiency in the Ukrainian language, issued by the National Commission on State Language Standards.

Kateryna Zatulko

Senior lawyer, attorney