Zelenskyy updated the rules for honorary consuls: more powers — clearer procedures

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decree No. 285/2026, which significantly updated the Regulations on Extraordinary (Honorary) Consuls of Ukraine. The document modernizes the procedures for the appointment, activity and termination of the powers of honorary consuls, and also clarifies the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in these processes.

In particular, from now on, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will determine the procedure for organizing the appointment of honorary consuls, monitoring the performance of their functions and issuing relevant documents. This decision is aimed at unifying procedures and increasing the efficiency of the consular service.

Among the key innovations:

requirements for personal data of candidates have been clarified (with the indication of patronymic, if available);
the names of structural units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been updated in accordance with the modern organizational structure;
a new format for the honorary consul’s certificate has been introduced – in the form of a card;
the use of the term “head of the Embassy of Ukraine” instead of “head of diplomatic mission” has been fixed.

Special attention is paid to the procedure for issuing a certificate: after receiving the exequatur, the honorary consul will receive an official document confirming his status, indicating key data and the place of performance of functions.

Experts note that such changes will contribute to greater transparency of the institute of honorary consuls and strengthening the diplomatic presence of Ukraine abroad.

The decree comes into force on the day of its official publication.