The borders of Ukraine are open to visitors, so in 2025, both Ukrainians and foreigners have the right to enter the country. However, to enter Ukraine, you must have a certain package of documents, which depends on your citizenship. Find out what rules for entering Ukraine are relevant in 2025 and what you need to do to make your trip to Ukraine as safe and comfortable as possible

Take care of reliable insurance for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

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Martial law in Ukraine has been in effect for almost 3 years, but despite this, the country remains open for entry not only by Ukrainians, but also by foreigners. However, traveling to Ukraine requires a certain package of documents and compliance with security rules.

We will tell you about the current rules for entering Ukraine in 2025 below.

Rules for entering Ukraine for Ukrainians in 2025

- Citizens of Ukraine must provide one of the following documents to enter the country:

1) Passport of a citizen of Ukraine for traveling abroad;

2) Diplomatic passport of Ukraine;

3) Service passport of Ukraine;

4) Seaman's ID card;

5) Crew member's ID card.

Important! If the validity period of your passport is about to expire, then according to the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers for the period of martial law, Ukrainians can extend their passport for 5 years at diplomatic institutions (embassies/consulates) in the country of temporary stay.

- How to return to Ukraine if you left with an internal passport?

Leaving Ukraine with an internal passport/ID card/other document/or without a document at all is also a fairly common situation. In this case, you can still return to Ukraine, but for this you need to contact the embassy/consulate of Ukraine abroad.

Diplomatic missions can issue an ID card for return to Ukraine, and by law it is a document that certifies the person, confirms the citizenship of Ukraine and gives the right to enter Ukraine.

Let us remind you! The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported that from May 18, 2024, men aged 18 to 60 years old, in order to receive any documents and services at Ukrainian consulates abroad, along with other documents, are required to present a military ID with updated data. You can obtain a military ID through the “Reserve+” application.

A military ID is not required to issue a temporary certificate for returning home.

Rules for leaving the EU for Ukrainians with temporary protection

In addition to the requirements for entering Ukraine, Ukrainians with temporary protection status should also take care of following the rules for leaving the EU:

1. If you are planning a short trip to Ukraine

If you have temporary protection status in a European country, but want to enter Ukraine for a short period of time, and then leave for Europe again, then keep in mind that your trip should not exceed 30 days.

In addition, some European countries have strict penalty systems, and there are cases when, returning to Ukraine from Europe, a person found out that he had a fine for something. Therefore, it is better to consult lawyers before traveling.

2. Return to Ukraine for permanent residence and refusal of temporary protection

If a person intends to return to Ukraine for permanent residence, it is best to contact the relevant institution and refuse temporary protection in a particular country before leaving. This procedure should not be long, and temporary protection can be renewed if you leave for Europe again.

Rules for entering Ukraine for children in 2025

Ukrainian children can enter Ukraine on the basis of a foreign passport or a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for traveling abroad of their legal representatives, which contains information about the child.

If the validity of the document has expired, contact the diplomatic mission of Ukraine to extend it for another 5 years.

List of documents for returning home with a child born in the EU:

- Identity document;

- Birth certificate of the child issued by a consular institution.

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Rules for entering Ukraine for foreigners in 2025

The borders of Ukraine are open to foreigners, but to enter the country you must have the following package of documents:

1. A valid passport, it must be valid for the entire period of stay in Ukraine and have at least one blank page. Citizens of Turkey and Georgia can enter Ukraine on the basis of an ID card.

2. An entry visa, if the country does not have a visa-free regime.

You can check whether you need a visa to enter Ukraine on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

3. Confirmation of the purpose of the planned stay: a notarized invitation from citizens of Ukraine (relatives, acquaintances, friends), tourist vouchers, confirmation of accommodation booking, invitations from companies or organizations, tickets to seminars, exhibitions, fairs, documents about treatment in medical institutions, etc.

4. Availability of sufficient financial support for the entire period of the planned stay and for returning to the country of origin (cash, bank statement, ATM check, etc.) - proof that you have sufficient funds for the entire period of the planned stay in Ukraine or transit to a third country ($45 per person for each day of stay in Ukraine).

5. A health insurance policy issued by an insurance company registered in Ukraine or a foreign insurance company with a representative office in Ukraine. The policy must cover the following risks: diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, emergency medical care, hospitalization, expenses for doctors, medications, as well as medical transportation, repatriation, etc.

Foreigners who are banned from entering Ukraine by an authorized state body will not be able to cross the border. Read our material on who may be denied entry to Ukraine.

Important! Citizens of visa-free countries have the right to stay in Ukraine for up to 90 days if the purpose of the trip is tourism, visiting relatives, treatment, etc.

If the duration of stay exceeds 90 days or you plan to work or study in Ukraine, then before traveling you must apply for a long-term visa (type "D") at the embassy or consulate of Ukraine in the country of residence. It is better to start the procedure at least 3 months before the planned trip.

How to get a visa to Ukraine?

If you are not a citizen of a country with which a visa-free regime has been concluded, then to enter Ukraine you need to apply for a visa of one of the following types:

- Short-term visa (type C) - this visa is issued to foreigners whose stay does not exceed 90 days in the last 180 days.

- Long-term visa (type D) - issued to foreigners who wish to enter Ukraine for the purpose of temporary, but long-term, or for permanent residence.

- Transit visa - this type of visa is issued to foreigners who intend to transit through the territory of Ukraine during a trip to a third country.

Documents for obtaining a visa to Ukraine:

- Application form for a visa to Ukraine;

- Passport, valid for at least 3 months after the trip to Ukraine and with a total validity period of no more than 10 years.

- Two passport-sized photos - 35x45 mm.

- Travel medical insurance with a coverage of at least 30,000 euros for the entire period of stay.

- Confirmation of sufficient funds for the entire period of stay: bank statements, payment information, etc.

- Confirmation of accommodation in Ukraine (reservation in a hotel, hostel, etc.).

- Return ticket from Ukraine.

- Confirmation of paid visa fee to Ukraine.

- Additional documents confirming the purpose of your trip.

We have previously told you more about the available types of visas to Ukraine and the procedure for obtaining them.

Rules for entering Ukraine by car for foreigners

A foreigner is allowed to enter Ukraine by his own car, but it can be used exclusively for his own needs. Foreign citizens can drive cars with foreign license plates in Ukraine for up to one year. If you plan to stay in Ukraine for longer than two months, you need to contact the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for temporary car registration. After the one-year period, the car with foreign license plates must leave Ukraine.

To enter Ukraine by car, it is mandatory to have a “Green Card” insurance policy.

Also, to protect the car from the risks of war, it is worth having a Mini Casco insurance policy. You can take out a policy for a car with both Ukrainian and foreign registration.

Customs regulations in Ukraine

Individuals may transport across the border of Ukraine without a written declaration to the customs authority:

- Personal belongings: two mobile phones, one video camera, one camera, two portable personal computers; sports equipment; personal jewelry that was in use; clothing, shoes intended for personal use; 500 ml of toilet water or 100 ml of perfume, other items for personal use.

- Goods, the total cost of which does not exceed 500 euros or 50 kg.

- Ukrainian currency or foreign currency in an amount not exceeding the equivalent of 10 thousand euros.

- Alcoholic beverages: vodka products (vodka, cognac, whiskey, etc.) in an amount of 1 liter, wine - 2 liters, beer - 5 liters.

- Tobacco products - 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco.

- Food for personal use for an amount not exceeding 200 euros.

- Medicines, the quantity should not exceed 5 packages of each item per person (except those containing narcotic or psychotropic substances).

Safety rules in Ukraine

When traveling in Ukraine during wartime, you should follow two main safety rules:

- Curfew is a time introduced to maintain law and order. Usually, curfew lasts from 23:00 to 05:00 the next day. During this period, you cannot be in public places and move around the streets by transport or on foot.

- Air alert is a signal that sounds in the event of a missile threat. The authorities and the military always warn of a possible missile attack. To inform the population, the “Air Alert” signal, which can be heard on the streets of cities, and special mobile applications are used. In the event of a missile threat, you should go to the nearest shelter and wait for the call to end.

The Visit Ukraine editorial office draws the attention of foreigners to the fact that when visiting Ukraine, you should, first of all, take care of security issues. In conditions of martial law, a visit to Ukraine must be accompanied by a reliable insurance policy that can cover all wartime risks, including injuries from military operations, terrorist acts, etc., as well as outpatient and emergency treatment.

How to get to Ukraine in 2025?

Currently, the airspace over Ukraine is closed, but the state's land borders are operating normally, even despite the martial law.

The most convenient and fastest way to get to Ukraine is to fly to one of the airports in Europe, which is located near the Ukrainian border, and from there continue your journey by train or bus.

Among European countries, Ukraine borders Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova.

Have a nice trip!

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

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