All individuals who reside in Ukraine (including Ukrainian citizens, foreign nationals and stateless persons) are legally required to report to the Ukrainian state authorities about their place of residence or temporary stay.

05 August 2012 a new law amending the procedure for registration of the place of residence or temporary stay in Ukraine came into force.

One of the major changes introduced by the new law concerns the address at which the place of residence or temporary stay may be registered. From now on, foreigners who do not live in rented or privately owned apartments and private houses will be eligible to officially register at the address of the specialized social institutions where they reside, including institutions of social security and social care (nursing homes, boarding schools, rehab centers etc.).

The new law also broadens the list of documents required for a foreigner to register his/her place of residence in Ukraine. One of the documents that shall be presented to the Ukrainian state authorities is a copy of the lease or sale and purchase agreement for an apartment/private house where a foreigner intends to register at.

Another important feature of the new law is the expedited procedure for registration of the place of residence. In contrast to the old legal regulation, the registration shall now be carried out on the day when a foreigner submits to the state authority the relevant notice. The notice on the change of the place of residence can now be served not only by a foreigner in person, but also by his/her legal representative.

Foreigners who reside in Ukraine must not forget that they are legally required to register their place of residence in Ukraine within 10 days after the arrival at the new place of residence. Failure to do so constitutes an administrative offence and may also lead to a variety of negative consequences in accordance with Ukrainian law.