The legislative initiative was registered under No. 15507 on the parliament's website, Ukrinform reports.

The bill proposes changing the rules for surrogacy in Ukraine and introducing additional requirements for those eligible to use the procedure. Under the proposal, surrogacy would be permitted only if both spouses – or, in cases provided for by law, one of the spouses – are Ukrainian citizens and have permanently resided in Ukraine for at least three years before entering into the agreement.

It also proposes banning surrogacy for foreigners and stateless persons, except when one of the spouses is a Ukrainian citizen.

The bill would introduce new requirements for the state registration of a child born through surrogacy. Applicants would be required to provide documents confirming that at least one of the genetic parents is a Ukrainian citizen, as well as a certificate from a healthcare facility confirming that the surrogacy procedure complied with legal requirements.

The bill also stipulates that entering into a surrogacy agreement or giving birth to a child in Ukraine would not, in itself, grant a foreigner or stateless person the right to extend their stay in Ukraine or obtain a residence permit.

In the healthcare sector, the bill proposes that medical services involving surrogacy be provided by healthcare facilities primarily to Ukrainian citizens, subject to the exceptions set out in the bill. Healthcare facilities would also be required to verify the citizenship of prospective genetic parents before the procedure begins.

To facilitate the transition to the new rules, the bill establishes a transitional period. It would enter into force the day after publication but would only begin to apply simultaneously with a law establishing criminal liability for violations of the rules governing assisted reproductive technologies, including surrogacy. Surrogacy agreements with foreign citizens concluded before the law takes effect would be subject to a nine-month transitional period, during which they would have to be brought into compliance with the new requirements.

In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers would be required, within three months of the law's publication, to develop, establish and ensure the operation of a Unified State Register of Surrogacy Agreements and Entities Operating in the Reproductive Medicine Sector. According to the bill, this would enable the state to monitor compliance with the established requirements.

The bill's adoption is expected to protect children's rights, strengthen state oversight through transparent monitoring of healthcare facilities, and establish a clear record of surrogacy agreements through the Unified State Register. It is also intended to eliminate schemes involving the illegal removal of children abroad under the guise of surrogacy programs and protect the interests of Ukrainian citizens by maintaining access to reproductive technologies for Ukrainian families while ensuring adequate legal safeguards.

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