If you are planning a trip from Ukraine to Germany by car, you need to choose a convenient route in advance and get acquainted with the rules for drivers in the country. Find out more about the necessary documents for crossing the border, convenient routes from different cities of Ukraine and the main rules of the road in Germany

Insurance policy Green card for traveling abroad by car

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Travelling from Ukraine to Germany by private car requires careful preparation and planning. It is necessary to choose a convenient route in advance, because the journey time will be long. The article below will tell you about driving your own car to Germany, which countries are convenient to get to from different cities of Ukraine, traffic rules in Germany, and everything you need to know before you go.

How to get from Ukraine to Germany by car?

There are three ways to get from Ukraine to the Czech Republic by car:

- transit through Poland;

- transit through Slovakia and the Czech Republic;
- transit through Hungary and Austria.

The rules for crossing the border with Poland, Slovakia and Hungary were described in our previous articles.

Taking into account the region of Germany you are travelling to and the city of departure from Ukraine, choose the most convenient way in advance.

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What documents do I need to drive to Germany from Ukraine?

The driver of every car with Ukrainian registration must prepare all the necessary documents for the trip in advance:

● international passport and passport of a citizen of Ukraine;
● national driving licence with an expiry date;

● vehicle registration certificate;
● a valid Green Card insurance policy.

A trip to Germany: Green Card

Remember that all vehicles with Ukrainian registration travelling in European countries are required to have a valid Green Card insurance policy.

The Green Card is a mandatory international motor third party liability insurance policy that covers the costs of compensation for damage to life, health and property of third parties caused by an accident in Germany and other member countries of the international Green Card agreement.

It is also worth remembering that in the event of an accident abroad, a driver who does not have a Green Card for a car risks spending tens of thousands of euros on car repairs and compensation for damages.

It is better to buy insurance online, as it is quick and easy. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can take out a Green Card policy from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters. It should be borne in mind that the insurance starts the day after the policy is issued, so we recommend that you read the terms and conditions in advance and purchase a Green Card.

Read moreabout compulsory car insurance in Germany and whether Ukrainians need to take out German insurance here.

How long does it take to drive from Ukrainian cities to Germany by car?

● From Kyiv:

Distance to Berlin in transit through Poland: 1,358 km.

Travelling time: 15 hours.

Major cities along the way: in Poland - Lodz, Poznan.

Distance to Berlin in transit through Slovakia and the Czech Republic: 2,022 km.

Travelling time: 23 hours 58 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Zhytomyr, Lviv. In Slovakia - Bratislava, in the Czech Republic - Brno, Prague.

Distance to Berlin by transit through Hungary and Austria: 2,427 km.

Travelling time: 27 hours.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Zhytomyr, Lviv. In Hungary - Budapest.

● From Lviv:

Distance to Berlin in transit through Poland: 923 km.

Travelling time: 10 hours and 38 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Poland - Krakow, Katowice.

Distance to Berlin in transit through Slovakia and the Czech Republic: 1,483 km.

Travelling time: 17 hours and 45 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Uzhhorod. In Slovakia - Kosice, Bratislava, in the Czech Republic - Brno, Prague.

Distance to Berlin via transit through Hungary and Austria: 1,886 km.

Travelling time: 21 hours and 2 minutes.

Major cities along the way: In Hungary - Budapest.

● From Odesa:

Distance to Berlin in transit through Poland: 1 759 km.

Travel time: 20 hours and 48 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Vinnytsia, Lviv. In Poland - Lublin, Warsaw, Lodz, Poznan.

Distance to Berlin by transit through Slovakia and the Czech Republic: 2,287 km.

Travelling time: 28 hours.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Vinnytsia, Uzhhorod. In Slovakia - Bratislava, in the Czech Republic - Brno, Prague.

Distance to Berlin via transit through Hungary and Austria: 2,637 km.

Travelling time: 30 hours.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Vinnytsia. In Hungary - Budapest.

● From Dnipro:

Distance to Berlin in transit through Poland: 1,868 km.

Travelling time: 22 hours and 8 minutes.

Major cities along the way: Warsaw, Lodz, Poznan in Poland.

Distance to Berlin in transit through Slovakia and the Czech Republic: 2,435 km.

Travelling time: 30 hours.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Vinnytsia, Uzhhorod. In Slovakia - Kosice, Bratislava, in the Czech Republic - Brno, Prague.

Distance to Berlin via transit through Hungary and Austria: 2,784 km.

Travelling time: 32 hours.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Vinnytsia. In Hungary - Budapest.

● From Chernivtsi:

Distance to Berlin in transit through Poland: 1 199 km.

Travelling time: 13 hours and 58 minutes.

Major cities along the way: Lviv in Ukraine, Krakow, Katowice, Wroclaw in Poland.

Distance to Berlin in transit through Slovakia and the Czech Republic: 1,678 km.

Travelling time: 20 hours and 41 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Uzhhorod. In Slovakia - Kosice, Bratislava, in the Czech Republic - Brno, Prague.

Distance to Berlin via transit through Hungary and Austria: 2,016 km.

Travelling time: 23 hours and 7 minutes.

Major cities along the way: Budapest in Hungary.

Given the long journey time, we recommend stopping for a rest in a transit country. Starting prices for apartments and hotels:

● in Slovakia - from UAH 1,500;

● in the Czech Republic - from UAH 1,000;

● in Hungary - from UAH 1,000;

● in Austria - from UAH 1,500;

● in Poland - from UAH 1,000.

Toll roads in Germany

To drive on toll roads in Germany, you need to purchase a road vignette. Toll prices:

● 10 euros for 10 days;

● 22 euros - 60 days;

● about 130 euros for 1 year (for German citizens).

There is also an additional fee for travelling through the following tunnels:

● Warnowtunnel - 4.10 euros from November to April (186.14 UAH) and 5.10 euros from May to October (231.553 UAH).

● Herrentunnel - €2.10 (UAH 95.33).

It is also worth noting that in Germany there are special zones for low-emission vehicles, which require an eco-sticker to drive through. Read more about eco-stickers for cars, where to buy them, and what areas they are required for, here.

Traffic rules in Germany

● Mandatory car equipment: fire extinguisher, first aid kit, emergency stop sign, reflective vest.
● A passenger who is at least 150 cm tall and at least 12 years old can ride in the front seat of the car. Children under 12 years of age must not be transported without a special child seat or booster.
● Using a telephone while driving a car is prohibited.
● Park the car only in designated areas with appropriate signs.
● The permitted amount of alcohol in the blood is 0.3-0.5 ppm.
● Speed limit: within settlements - 50 km/h, on roads outside settlements - 100 km/h, on motorways - 130 km/h.

Fuel prices in Germany

As of 19 August 2024, the following average fuel prices were recorded in the country:

● petrol - €1.74 (UAH 78.57)

● Diesel - €1.62 (UAH 73.15);

LPG - EUR 1.03 (UAH 46.51).

Just to remind you. Ukrainians who arrive in Germany by their own car can use it freely on the country's roads for a limited period. After that, the vehicle must be registered. You can find out how to re-register a Ukrainian car in Germany and what you need to do here.

Photo: Freepik

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