Persons liable for military service may accompany relatives with disabilities abroad. However, not everyone has this right during martial law. Find out more about the rules governing the accompaniment of persons with disabilities abroad and what documents will be required in 2024

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According to the “Rules for Crossing the State Border”, disabled persons of groups I, II and III, as well as persons accompanying them, have the right to leave Ukraine during martial law. An accompanying person may be a member of the family of the first degree of kinship (husband/wife, children (natural and adopted), parents), as well as a person providing permanent care. However, certain restrictions apply to men liable for military service.

During martial law, men aged 18 to 60 cannot leave the territory of Ukraine. Only a limited number of persons have the right to cross the border, including men who have a wife with a disability of group I, II, III or parents or parents of a wife with a disability of group I and II.

The following categories of persons liable for military service may accompany persons with disabilities when crossing the border:

1. Persons who are related to a person with a disability (husband/wife, children, parents);

2. Legal entities or individuals who provide permanent care for a person with a disability and have supporting documents;

3. Representatives of social organizations that provide care for a person with a disability.

In the previous article, we described which categories of men can freely leave Ukraine and what documents they need to have.

Peculiarities of accompanying persons with disabilities abroad

According to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 57 of January 27, 1995, during martial law, those citizens of Ukraine who constantly care for persons with disabilities of groups I and II, accompany persons with disabilities of group II, children with disabilities of group II and persons in need of constant care have the right to cross the state border.

The border can be crossed only with the physical presence of a person with a disability; the mere fact of having and caring for a person with a disability does not give persons liable for military service the right to cross the border on their own. The only possible option is when a person with a disability is already abroad. In this case, the person must provide a certificate confirming that he or she is registered with the consulate in another country.

The accompanying person cannot return to the territory of Ukraine before the person with a disability whom he or she accompanies. This will be considered a gross violation. 

Upon arrival in the country of destination, within 1 working day, you must contact the consular office of Ukraine in the country of temporary residence and obtain a certificate of registration of a person with a disability. After that, the Ministry of Social Policy and the National Social Service will be informed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the registration of persons with disabilities who need constant care.

Please note! A Green Card insurance policy is required to leave Ukraine by car. Without insurance, the driver may not be allowed to travel abroad, and in the country of residence, the vehicle may even be seized and deported with a subsequent ban on entry. In addition, a fine for the absence of/overdue insurance will cost the driver several dozen times more than the annual Green Card policy. You can apply for a Green Card quickly and easily on our website.

Accompanying a spouse with a disability abroad

An official husband can accompany his wife with a disability of group I and II when crossing the border. To do so, the following supporting documents must be provided:

1. A certificate from the Medical and Social Expert Commission (MSEC) confirming the presence of a disability of group I or II;

2. Marriage certificate;

3. Pension certificate.

Do you have additional questions? Contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).

Accompanying parents with disabilities abroad

Also, men liable for military service have the right to accompany their own parents or the parents of their spouses with disabilities abroad. To do this, you need to provide the following package of documents:

1) Confirmation of kinship and cohabitation (extract from the demographic register of registration at the same address, birth certificate, marriage certificate);

2) A certificate from the Medical and Social Expert Commission (MSEC) confirming the presence of a disability of group I or II;

3) Pension certificate;

4) A certificate from the medical advisory commission on the need for constant third-party care;

5) Act of establishing permanent third-party care.

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Accompanying children with disabilities abroad

Mothers and fathers, guardians, custodians, foster parents, and foster parents have the right to accompany children with disabilities when crossing the border of Ukraine. Accompaniment may also be provided by an adult brother and sister, grandparent, stepmother or stepfather, taking into account their belonging to the list of categories of persons exempt from military service and mobilization. For this purpose, it is necessary to provide the relevant supporting documents and documents to confirm family ties.

To cross the border as an accompanying person for a child with a disability, the following documents are required:

1. A document confirming family ties;

2. Documents confirming the relevant powers of the person accompanying the child with a disability (for guardians, custodians, foster parents).

Both original documents and notarized copies are acceptable.

Learn more about the current rules for male students traveling abroad.

What documents are required to accompany a relative with a disability abroad?

In order for a man liable for military service to accompany a relative abroad, he must have:

1. Passports (his own and of the person with a disability);

2. A document confirming kinship (marriage certificate, birth certificate of a child, extract from the demographic register of registration at the same address, etc;)

3. Documents confirming the disability of the relative who needs support. In particular, these may include:

- disability certificate indicating the disability group;

- a pension certificate indicating the disability group;

- a certificate confirming the appointment of social assistance in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, which indicates the group and causes of disability;

- a certificate for receiving benefits by persons with disabilities who are not entitled to a pension or social assistance. Such a certificate can be obtained from the DLSP at the place of residence of a person with a disability;

- a certificate of receipt of state child benefits. It must be issued by a structural unit for social protection. It does not matter who is the recipient of the benefit;

- a certificate from the Medical Care Committee on the need for permanent third-party care for a person with a disability;

- an act of establishing permanent third-party care for the person.

If a sick person who is traveling abroad for treatment needs support, then an additional document must be provided - a medical certificate issued by a medical advisory commission in the form and manner prescribed by the Ministry of Health (conclusion of the medical advisory commission).

You can get legal assistance on leaving Ukraine during martial law on our website. Visit Ukraine's lawyers will answer any questions related to crossing the state border, help you collect the necessary documents, and appeal against a decision to refuse to leave Ukraine. To order a consultation or full legal support, please follow the link.

We remind you! A man who is raising one or more minor children on his own has the right to leave Ukraine during martial law, but only if his status is confirmed by the relevant documents. Read more about the rules in force in 2024 and what is required to cross the border.