What you can't do without registration in Ukraine

The registration institution in Ukraine ceased to exist at the end of 2003. At the same time, the Law of Ukraine "On Freedom of Movement and Choice of Place of Residence" was adopted, which introduced a mechanism for registration of place of residence in the country. Despite all the differences, the old and new institutions have a lot in common and a significant part of Ukrainians continue to call registration "registration". Moreover, it is both more familiar and shorter.

Over the period from 2014 to 2021, the passport legislation of Ukraine has undergone a number of changes. Plastic ID cards appeared, and the registration procedure itself became possible online. All this could not but affect the cases in which registration has lost all relevance, and in which it is still necessary.

Employment

The Labor Code of Ukraine states that in order to conclude a contract with an employer, a citizen must provide a passport (or other suitable identification document) and a work record book. In the case of some vacancies, a document on higher education and a certificate of health will be added to this list. However, there is no information on registration at the place of residence in the list. Moreover, Article 25 of the above-mentioned Code directly prohibits, when hiring, from requiring information from the applicant about his origin, nationality and place of registration. So, if the employer requires you to register, it is he who is breaking the law.

Getting a Bank Card

Living without a payment card is becoming increasingly difficult every year, and this applies not only to Ukraine. But what to do if right now you don’t have a card or registration? You should apply to a bank and get a card. NBU Instruction, which Ukrainian financial institutions must follow, specifies that the necessary documents to open a bank account are a Ukrainian citizen passport and TIN for resident citizens, as well as a temporary or permanent residence permit. Some banks (Monobank, Alfa-Bank) even waive the physical verification of documents, allowing customers to apply for a virtual card through an app, and later issue a physical card.

Keep in mind that a card issued with minimal documents will either have a small credit limit or none at all. Banks prefer to give (even temporary) access to your money only to verified clients.

Obtaining a Passport for Travel Abroad

The procedure for obtaining a passport for traveling abroad in Ukraine is regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers Decree of 07.05.2014. It contains a list of documents that must be provided to obtain a foreign passport. It’s short: a civil passport, an application form (filled out on the spot), and a receipt for the administrative fee. If this is your first time applying, a birth certificate is also required. The Decree does not mention the need for local registration, and you can apply for a foreign passport at any CNAP in the country.

Traveling Abroad

The times when you needed special permission for a tourist trip are gone with the Soviet Union. Today, for a Ukrainian citizen to travel, a foreign passport with a visa glued inside is sufficient. Or even without it, if the trip is to one of the countries with which Ukraine has a visa-free regime. Border guards won’t ask for an internal passport, proof of residence, or other details. However, a visa officer might ask for them when you are processing documents for a trip to the USA or the UK. At such interviews, it’s advisable to have all documents ready.

However, if you are traveling abroad for permanent residence or long-term employment, as indicated on the infocenter.org.ua website, you will need information about your “registration.” According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Order of the Production on Applications of Citizens Leaving for Permanent Residence Abroad, there is a list of documents to be attached to the application, including photos, an original internal passport, receipts for administrative fees, and a certificate of residence registration. You won’t be able to get a foreign passport with the relevant stamp without this certificate. At least not legally.

Real Estate Purchase

The purchase and sale of real estate in Ukraine is regulated by the Civil Code, primarily Article 655. The requirements for the contract used for the transaction are outlined in the Law of Ukraine “On Notarization” and the Ministry of Justice Decree “On the Procedure for Notarial Actions by Ukrainian Notaries.” The required documents include a passport, TIN, documents confirming marital status, and documents for the real estate, which must be provided by the seller. A certificate of residence registration is not mentioned in any legal act regarding the purchase of property, and the notary will not ask for it, nor is the seller required to provide it.

However, if you are taking out a mortgage to buy real estate, you will need to collect a set of documents not only for the notary but also for the bank. The procedure for providing mortgage services in Ukraine is regulated by the law called “On Mortgages.” You will need an employment contract, income certificate, and your spouse’s consent to take the loan. Registration or residence registration is not mentioned in the mortgage law.

Getting a Loan

People often take loans from banks not only to buy real estate but also for urgent medical treatment, business development, repairs, or education. Unfortunately, most banks refuse loans to people without registration. Article 10 of the Ukrainian Law “On Consumer Crediting” grants banks the right to set their own requirements for the information necessary to assess a client’s creditworthiness, and to refuse a loan if this information is not provided or if it negatively affects the assessment.

Some banks (Concord, Idea Bank) offer loans to people with temporary registration, while most financial institutions prefer permanent registration.

Vehicle Registration

Here, registration is essential. On the website of the Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, there is a full list of documents required for vehicle registration or re-registration. It specifically states that if you have a new “plastic” ID card instead of an old paper passport, you will need to provide a certificate of residence registration along with it.

Getting a Driver’s License

The Cabinet of Ministers Decree of April 3, 2019 introduced radical changes to the process of obtaining a driver’s license. It is now possible to undergo training or retraining individually, and video recording is allowed during exams, but without a certificate of residence registration, you will not be able to take the driving test.

Declaration with a Family Doctor

In 2018, Ukraine launched the family medicine system. Citizens can enter into a contract with a doctor of their choice and go to them for referrals, tests, or prescriptions. This can be done at the actual place of residence. Only a passport (or an equivalent document) and a TIN are required. The Ministry of Health website describes the procedure in detail, in simple and clear language. Polyclinics are not supposed to ask for “registration.”

Getting Married

In Ukraine, you can get married without “local registration,” meaning without registration. Moreover, you can do this even if one of the future spouses is a citizen of another country or stateless. The list of documents that must be submitted to the registry office is regulated by the Ukrainian Law “On State Registration of Civil Status Acts.” You will need an application, passport, and identification code. Those who have been married before will also need a divorce or spouse’s death certificate. The place for taking marriage vows can be chosen freely; the future spouses' place of residence does not limit this in any way.