The Government of Kosovo has approved a new draft law on citizenship aimed at significantly simplifying procedures for members of the diaspora seeking to regain their nationality.
During today’s cabinet meeting, Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla announced that the proposed legislation is designed to address long-standing challenges faced by citizens who were forced to renounce Kosovo citizenship due to legal restrictions in their countries of residence. The reform is expected to strengthen ties between Kosovo and its diaspora across the Balkans and beyond.
Sveçla emphasized that the draft law fulfills a key electoral campaign promise and introduces substantial changes in the acquisition, reacquisition, registration, and loss of citizenship. A central feature of the reform is the drastic simplification of application procedures. Previously, applicants were required to submit up to nine different documents. Under the new framework, individuals will only need to file a single request along with proof that they do not have a criminal conviction in their country of residence.
In addition to reducing bureaucratic requirements, the government has also shortened processing times. Applications that previously took up to six months to review will now be handled within 30 days, significantly accelerating access to citizenship rights for the Kosovo diaspora. Authorities also confirmed that the reacquisition process will be free of charge, removing financial barriers that may have discouraged applicants in the past.
According to Sveçla, the initiative represents an important step toward enhancing legal certainty and improving public services for citizens. He highlighted that the reform aims to ensure that no citizen of Kosovo feels disconnected from their homeland, reinforcing a sustainable relationship between the state and its diaspora communities.
The move is seen as part of broader efforts by Kosovo institutions to engage more actively with their diaspora, which plays a vital role in the country’s social and economic development. The draft law will now proceed through further legislative procedures before final adoption.