Legal aspects of naturalization of Ukrainian scientists in EU member states

Abstract

The article examines the legal aspects of the naturalization of Ukrainian scientists in the European Union member states following the beginning of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine in 2022. It analyzes the scale of scientific migration, the dynamics of researchers’ relocation, and the formation of the Ukrainian scientific diaspora in the EU. Special attention is paid to the legal status of Ukrainian scholars abroad, the functioning of the temporary protection mechanism, and its impact on the citizenship acquisition process. The paper defines the essence and legal nature of naturalization in European law, outlines the procedural aspects of citizenship acquisition by scientists, compares naturalization conditions across several EU states (in particular Germany, France, Poland, and Portugal), and highlights the specific features of the legal position of individuals who have undergone naturalization. The legal consequences of naturalization for Ukrainian scientists are examined, including the loss of Ukrainian citizenship, changes in tax and social status, expansion of academic rights within EU citizenship, and the formation of a new model of a mobile European researcher of Ukrainian origin. It is emphasized that, for Ukraine, the naturalization of scientists abroad represents a serious challenge associated with the outflow of intellectual capital, the weakening of the national scientific system, and the threat of losing human potential. The conclusions justify the need for the development of a state policy to support the Ukrainian scientific diaspora, create legal mechanisms for maintaining the connection between naturalized scholars and Ukraine, and gradually revise the concept of citizenship in view of modern academic and migration realities. Problem Setting. After 2022, the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine caused a large-scale displacement of Ukrainian citizens, including a significant number of scientists and researchers. The issue of their legal status, integration, and naturalization within the European Union has become a pressing problem for both Ukrainian and European legal and academic systems. Understanding the mechanisms, conditions, and legal consequences of naturalization for Ukrainian scholars abroad is crucial for maintaining intellectual continuity and shaping Ukraine’s postwar scientific and human capital policy. Analysis of Recent Researches and Publications. Among Ukrainian scholars who have studied the relevant issues, attention should be drawn to the works of V. Semynozhenko, L. Lytvynenko, O. Zelinskyi, O. Podrez-Riapolova, S. Hlibko, O. Bieliaieva, A. Liubchych, and others, which analyze the issues of state policy in the field of science, international academic mobility, and the legal regulation of the status of scientists. Their studies emphasize the necessity of creating conditions for preserving Ukraine’s intellectual potential, developing an effective system to support Ukrainian scientists abroad, and ensuring gradual integration into the European Research Area. Among foreign publications, notable are the studies focusing on the EU’s policy toward highly qualified migration – particularly research conducted under the auspices of the European Migration Network, OECD, and MSCA4Ukraine, as well as analytical reports from Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ programs, which outline trends in professional adaptation and naturalization of foreign scientists. These studies approach naturalization not only as a legal process but as one of the key instruments for attracting intellectual capital and ensuring the sustainable development of Europe’s scientific systems. Target of Research.The purpose of this article is to analyze the legal aspects of the naturalization of Ukrainian scientists in EU member states, determine the peculiarities of their legal status after 2022, examine the conditions and consequences of citizenship acquisition, and outline the problems and risks faced by Ukraine due to the outflow of scientific potential. Article’s Main Body. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation in 2022 triggered one of the largest waves of forced migration of scientists in Europe’s recent history. The temporary protection mechanism introduced by the European Union under Council Directive 2001/55/EC provided Ukrainian citizens, including researchers, with the right to reside and work in EU member states. For Ukrainian scientists, this framework ensured continuity of academic activity and access to European research infrastructure. However, the temporary nature of this protection created legal uncertainty. It does not automatically lead to permanent residence or citizenship, and the period of stay under temporary protection is not always counted toward the residency term required for naturalization. Some EU states – notably Germany and Portugal – have introduced exceptions allowing this period to be recognized as part of continuous legal residence if the individual remains professionally active and maintains legal status. Naturalization procedures for scientists differ among EU member states. In most countries, a general requirement of five years of legal residence applies. Nevertheless, special provisions exist for individuals who have made significant contributions to science, education, or culture. For instance, Germany’s Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz allows a reduction of the required residency period to three years for distinguished researchers, while France’s Code civil enables “naturalization in the national interest” (intérêt exceptionnel) for persons who have made exceptional scientific or cultural contributions. Similarly, Poland, Portugal, and the Czech Republic provide preferential conditions for academics whose activities benefit national research and innovation development. In addition to residence duration, applicants must demonstrate financial independence, integration into the host society, and language proficiency. For scientists, proof of stable income typically includes employment contracts with universities or research institutes, or participation in international grant programs such as Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), Erasmus+, and Horizon Europe. Many EU states acknowledge these research grants as legitimate and stable sources of income, aligning with naturalization requirements. Therefore, naturalization functions both as a legal pathway to full integration in the European academic space and as a potential source of intellectual capital loss for Ukraine. The formation of a stable Ukrainian scientific diaspora in the EU brings long-term benefits for international cooperation but simultaneously challenges Ukraine’s ability to restore its research and innovation capacity in the postwar period. Conclusions and Prospects for the Development. Naturalization of Ukrainian scientists in EU countries represents a complex socio-legal phenomenon combining migration, academic integration, and citizenship policy dimensions. While the European legal framework provides flexible mechanisms that facilitate naturalization for highly qualified professionals, these processes simultaneously contribute to the structural weakening of Ukraine’s domestic scientific system. To mitigate negative consequences, Ukraine should develop a coherent state policy aimed at maintaining institutional and professional ties with naturalized scholars abroad. This may include the creation of a legal mechanism for dual academic affiliation, the establishment of national programs for scientific cooperation with the Ukrainian diaspora, and participation in joint EU-funded research networks. Future development should also involve the modernization of Ukrainian citizenship legislation, allowing for conditional dual citizenship for scientists and researchers engaged in international projects of national importance. Such a step would harmonize Ukrainian law with European integration standards and help preserve the intellectual bridge between Ukraine and the EU.