Leaving Ukraine for a man with temporary protection in Bulgaria: answers to key questions from the lawyers at Visit Ukraine

Men with temporary protection status in EU countries who are planning a short trip to Ukraine should be aware of the rules for leaving the country during martial law and the document requirements. Learn more about border crossing conditions, age restrictions, and risks to temporary protection status in Bulgaria

Legal assistance for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

GET

Men of draft age who are living abroad under temporary protection often plan short trips to Ukraine—to visit family, process documents, or handle personal matters. The main concern in such cases is whether they will be able to return and whether the trip will affect their protection status in the host country.

Inquiry: A 22-year-old man, a citizen of Ukraine, has been living in Bulgaria under temporary protection since September 2025. He plans to visit Ukraine for approximately 1.5–2 months and then return to Bulgaria. He will turn 23 at the end of October 2026. Will he be able to leave Ukraine without any problems? What are the risks?

Visit Ukraine’s lawyers answer below.

Not sure how to proceed in your situation?

Contact the immigration lawyers at the Visit Ukraine portal for a consultation!

Can he enter Ukraine?

Yes. Any citizen of Ukraine has the right to enter Ukraine without hindrance. Temporary protection in Bulgaria or another country does not prevent this in any way.

To enter Ukraine, it is sufficient to have a Ukrainian passport with you. It is also advisable to have a document confirming temporary protection in Bulgaria, proof of residence (address registration in Bulgaria), and travel insurance for the journey through Romania.

Could there be issues when leaving Ukraine to return to Bulgaria?

The answer depends on the man’s age at the time of departure.

Option one: at the time of departure, the man has not yet turned 23. As of 2026, a simplified regime for traveling abroad applies to men aged 18–22. Men under 23 may travel abroad without specific grounds, provided they have the necessary documents. An additional condition is that he does not hold a leadership position in government agencies or in companies with more than a 50% state ownership stake in the authorized capital.

Option two: at the time of departure, he has already turned 23. In that case, he will fall into the category of men aged 23–60, for whom departure during martial law is permitted only for specific reasons. The fact of residing in Bulgaria, having temporary protection, and a long-term stay abroad do not constitute grounds for leaving Ukraine.

Key point: The man must leave Ukraine before he turns 23. After that, there are virtually no guarantees of being able to leave again without a specific legal basis defined by law.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Does the fact that he has been living abroad since 2025 make a difference?

Not in and of itself. Temporary protection in Bulgaria is not equivalent to permanent residence abroad. To obtain permanent residence status, a person must have a corresponding decision from the Bulgarian Migration Service, a permanent residence card, consular registration, and the relevant stamps and marks. This is a separate status, and a person cannot hold it simultaneously with temporary protection status.

What documents are required to return to Bulgaria?

Required list of documents:

• Ukrainian passport;
• document confirming temporary protection in Bulgaria;
• proof of address in Bulgaria;
• valid health insurance policy;
• military registration document (in electronic and paper form), which must be presented upon request by a representative of the State Border Service.

It is also helpful to have translations of Bulgarian documents—this is not mandatory, but it can sometimes be useful at the border.

Can Bulgaria revoke temporary protection due to a 1.5–2-month stay in Ukraine?

Short trips to Ukraine lasting one or two months to visit family or process documents are usually not grounds for revoking temporary protection in Bulgaria. However, a prolonged return to Ukraine may raise questions from Bulgarian authorities—especially if the person’s center of vital interests is no longer in Bulgaria or their temporary protection status has not been extended.

Traveling in the husband’s car: can the wife drive it herself?

Yes. The wife can drive the husband’s car to Ukraine and back on her own provided she has the following documents: vehicle registration certificate, power of attorney for the car, insurance (“Green Card”), a Ukrainian-registered vehicle, and a valid driver’s license.

When leaving Ukraine to return to the EU, border guards sometimes conduct additional checks: whether the driver is authorized to take the car out of the country, whether the car’s owner is in Ukraine, and whether the car is “temporarily imported.”

Therefore, it is advisable to carry a notarized power of attorney authorizing travel abroad, a copy of your husband’s passport, a copy of his Bulgarian residence documents, as well as a translation of the power of attorney for the Bulgarian authorities (not always required, but may be helpful).

Contact us for a consultation to receive personalized legal support in accordance with Ukrainian and international law!

To schedule a consultation:

1. Select a convenient format (in-person, written, or verbal consultation).
2. Fill out the form with your details (full name, email, contact phone number).
3. Select a convenient date for the consultation.
4. Review the terms of the agreement and make the payment.

Reminder! In a previous article, VU lawyers discussed business registration in Europe, the most advantageous locations to establish a company, and which countries to choose.

Photo: Magnific

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

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.