Can You Travel to Ukraine Right Now? Safety, Entry Rules and Real Situation Explained

Ukraine remains open to foreign visitors, despite the state of martial law and ongoing hostilities in the east and south of the country. Before traveling, it is important to understand which regions are accessible to visitors, what documents will be required at the border, and what safety rules apply within the country. Learn more about the current entry requirements for Ukraine, necessary documents, customs requirements, and the specifics of medical insurance covering war risks

Insurance with war risk coverage for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

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Despite the full-scale war that has been ongoing since February 24, 2022, Ukraine remains open to foreign visitors—tourists, journalists, volunteers, businesspeople, and diplomatic representatives. A significant part of the country continues to function as usual: hotels, restaurants, museums, and public transportation are operating, and border crossings on the western and southern land borders are open. At the same time, martial law imposes a number of restrictions that you should be aware of before traveling.

Below, we discuss the current security situation, regions open to visitors, required documents for crossing the border, customs regulations, basic tips for first-time travelers, and insurance details.

The Current Security Situation in Ukraine 2026

Ukraine is at war, and this is an objective reality that every visitor faces. Active hostilities are concentrated primarily in the east and south of the country—in the Donetsk, Luhansk, and parts of the Kharkiv regions, as well as in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Areas near the front lines are effectively closed to tourist travel and are not recommended for visits, even for work or volunteer purposes.

At the same time, there are currently no completely safe regions in Ukraine. Rocket and drone strikes from the Russian Federation are periodically recorded throughout the country, including in the western regions. Most attacks occur at night and may target both energy and military infrastructure as well as civilian infrastructure. The primary means of protection for citizens remain the air raid siren system and the network of shelters. Daily life in Kyiv, Lviv, Uzhhorod, Ivano-Frankivsk, and other major cities continues in an almost normal manner—restaurants, cafes, shops, and public transportation are operating.

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Which regions of Ukraine are accessible to tourists in 2026?

The western regions remain the most popular among foreign visitors—Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Volyn, and Rivne Oblasts. A significant portion of the tourist infrastructure is concentrated here: the Carpathians with their ski and hiking trails, mineral resorts, historic cities, and culinary destinations. These regions are the farthest from the front lines, although they are also periodically subject to airstrikes.

Central Ukraine, specifically Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Poltava, and Zhytomyr regions, is also open to visitors. The capital welcomes foreign journalists, diplomats, business delegations, and tourists. Most museums, theaters, restaurants, and hotels are open, and public transportation is operating, including the metro, which serves as a shelter in the event of an air raid alert. Southern regions (excluding occupied and frontline areas) are mostly partially accessible, so it is advisable to check the current security situation before traveling to a specific location.

What documents are required to enter Ukraine?

Ukrainian citizens can enter the country by presenting any document confirming their identity: a Ukrainian passport

for travel abroad, a Ukrainian diplomatic passport, a Ukrainian service passport, a seaman’s identity card, a crew member’s identity card, or a certificate of identity for return to Ukraine (grants the right to enter Ukraine).

Foreign tourists must have the following to cross the Ukrainian border:

– Foreign passport. The document must be valid for the entire duration of the stay in Ukraine. Citizens of Turkey and Georgia may enter Ukraine by presenting only their ID cards.

– Visa. This document is required only unless otherwise provided by law or a visa-free regime has been established with the country.

– Proof of the purpose of the trip (a document confirming family ties, an invitation from a Ukrainian citizen, an invitation to participate in conferences or other events, a booked tour, a hotel reservation, etc.).

– Proof of sufficient funds for the entire duration of the stay in Ukraine and for returning to the country of origin.

To this end, it is sufficient to present: cash in hryvnia or another convertible foreign currency, bank cards, bank statements and ATM receipts, a letter of guarantee from the host party undertaking to cover all expenses of the foreign national related to their stay in Ukraine and departure from the country, confirmation of accommodation and meal reservations or payments, a travel service contract (voucher, tour package), and a return ticket to the country of permanent residence or to a third country with a fixed date.

– Insurance policy issued by an insurance company registered in Ukraine, or by a foreign insurance company with a representative office in Ukraine or contractual relations (assistance).

For more details on entry rules for foreigners in Ukraine — read here.

Customs Control in Ukraine

When crossing the Ukrainian border, foreign citizens and stateless persons are required to comply with established customs regulations. Before your trip, we recommend reviewing the list of goods permitted for import into the country. For certain categories—alcohol, tobacco products, currency exceeding the specified limit, medications, and weapons—special requirements apply, and violations of these requirements result in administrative liability.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself in more detail with the rules for operating vehicles on Ukrainian territory if you plan to travel by car. This will help you avoid fines and unforeseen issues related to customs clearance, the duration of your vehicle’s stay in the country, and mandatory civil liability insurance.

We discussed entering Ukraine by car with foreign registration in 2026 — in this article.

Tips for Your First Trip to Ukraine

Your first trip to Ukraine during wartime requires a bit more preparation than a typical tourist trip. Plan your route in advance, keeping in mind that most foreigners enter the country via the Polish-Ukrainian, Slovakian, Hungarian, Romanian, or Moldovan-Ukrainian borders. Airspace has been closed since the start of the full-scale invasion, so there are currently no alternatives in the form of regular flights to Kyiv, Lviv, or Odesa. Rail travel remains a convenient option—Ukrzaliznytsia operates regularly and has international connections with neighboring EU countries and Moldova.

We recommend installing the “Air Raid Alert” mobile app in advance (App Store | Google Play), saving the contact information for your country’s embassy or consulate, ensuring you have a sufficient supply of cash in hryvnia, and familiarizing yourself with the rules of conduct at checkpoints. Photographing military facilities, checkpoints, the aftermath of shelling, and the movement of military equipment is prohibited. If possible, notify your country’s embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your presence, and provide your loved ones with your contact information, place of residence, and approximate itinerary.

Safety Rules in Ukraine for Foreigners 2026

It is important to remember that martial law is in effect in Ukraine, which entails specific rules of conduct in designated areas, particularly at checkpoints. A curfew is in effect in most regions (specific hours vary by region), and violating movement restrictions during this period is grounds for arrest by the police. You should carry identification documents with you at all times, and drivers should also carry vehicle registration documents, insurance, and a driver’s license.

Although active hostilities are concentrated in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, there are currently no completely safe cities in Ukraine due to the threat of missile strikes from the Russian Federation. That is why we strongly recommend that foreigners stay vigilant about their safety and do not ignore air raid sirens. To stay informed about air threats, download the “Air Raid” app and be sure to check the map of the nearest shelters in the city where you are staying. If an air raid alert is sounded, proceed immediately to the nearest shelter.

About regions of Ukraine deemed safe in 2026 — read here.

Insurance in Ukraine and recommendations from the foreign ministries of various countries

Most foreign ministries of EU countries, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan recommend on their official websites that people refrain from non-essential travel to Ukraine due to the state of war. Some warnings apply to specific regions—restrictions for eastern and southern regions are generally stricter (complete travel bans), while recommendations for western and central regions are more lenient. Before traveling, it is advisable to check the current position of your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as official recommendations are periodically updated depending on the security situation.

Special attention should be paid to medical insurance. Standard travel insurance policies from most international insurance companies do not cover risks associated with military operations, including injuries from shelling, shrapnel, and mines, as well as the consequences of evacuation from a combat zone. That is why, when entering Ukraine under martial law, you must obtain a specialized policy that explicitly covers war-related risks.

On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can purchase medical insurance with coverage for war-related risks, specifically designed for travel to Ukraine during martial law. The policy covers the costs of medical care, hospitalization, surgical procedures, medications, as well as evacuation and repatriation in the event of an insured incident related to combat operations.

Purchase a policy online in just a few minutes and hit the road with the confidence that, in a difficult situation, you won’t be left to face the costs alone!

Reminder! Ukraine always welcomes foreign visitors, and its borders, despite the war, remain open to tourists. How to travel to Ukraine in 2026 and what you need to do so—find out by following the link.

Photo: Freepik

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;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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