In 2025, the borders of Ukraine are open for departure. However, due to the current martial law, men subject to military service do not have the right to travel outside the country. Also, to travel abroad, you must have a certain package of documents. Find out what rules for leaving Ukraine are relevant in 2025 and what you need to do to make your trip as safe and comfortable as possible

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According to the order of the Government of Ukraine, in 2025, children, women and the elderly can travel abroad without any restrictions. In accordance with the conditions of martial law, travel abroad for men of draft age is limited. Only certain categories of citizens have the right to travel. Read more about the rules for leaving Ukraine in 2025 in this article.

What categories of Ukrainians have the right to travel abroad in 2025?

In 2025, the following have the right to travel abroad without hindrance: women, children (under 18 years of age) and the elderly (over 60 years of age).

The departure of those liable for military service is limited. Men aged 18 to 60 cannot leave the territory of Ukraine, with the exception of those who are entitled to a deferment:

1. Men whose close relatives died or went missing in the war.

2. Men excluded from military registration. Moreover, men with limited fitness for service cannot leave Ukraine during martial law.

3. Men with disabilities of groups I, II, III.

4. Men accompanying a person with a disability of group I or II.

5. Men with many children who have three or more minor children.

6. Men raising children on their own.

7. Men accompanying sick children.

8. Military personnel traveling abroad for treatment, rehabilitation or training.

9. Male drivers traveling via the “Shlyakh” system.

10. Male volunteers.

11. Male railway workers and sailors.

12. Male athletes and coaches.

13. Male cultural workers.

14. Military personnel going on leave (with permission from the military unit).

List of documents for traveling abroad in 2025

To cross the border in 2025, the following documents are required:

1. Internal passport

2. International passport.

Additional documents for traveling abroad for conscripts

When planning to leave Ukraine, most categories of men must first clarify their data in the CCC and the SP and enter information about receiving a deferral in their military registration document.

According to the new law, the military registration document must have a VIN code. It is this code that must be presented upon request by representatives of the CCC, police officers and border guards. Therefore, conscripts who have the right to travel abroad must come to the CCC and receive a military registration document with a VIN code, which is then read by border guards with special devices and thus gain access to the conscript's personal file in electronic form. The VIN code can also be pasted into an old-style military ID card - the legislation does not prohibit this.

Additionally, military personnel need documents confirming the reason and possibility of traveling abroad. The list of documents depends on the reasons for traveling, that is, they will differ for men with many children, disabled people, those traveling for treatment, etc.

A detailed list of documents required for traveling abroad for each category of men is in this article.

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Rules for traveling abroad with children in 2025

During martial law, the conditions for children to travel abroad were simplified.

According to the legislation of Ukraine, traveling outside Ukraine for children under the age of 16 is allowed only when accompanied by an adult.

The list of documents depends on the degree of kinship with the person accompanying the child:

1. One of the parents or guardians: it is enough to have a birth certificate or passport of a citizen of Ukraine with you for children over 14 years of age. Notarized consent of the other parent is not required.

2. Close relatives: grandmother, grandfather, stepmother, stepfather, adult brothers and sisters. You must have a birth certificate or passport of a citizen of Ukraine for children over 14 years old, as well as documents confirming family ties. Notarized parental consent is not required. However, you must provide a written statement from one of the parents, certified by the guardianship and trusteeship body.

3. Third parties: you must have a birth certificate or passport of a citizen of Ukraine for children over 14 years old, as well as relevant documents confirming the identity of the adult.

In addition, to cross the border, you must have a written consent of one of the parents, certified by the guardianship and trusteeship body. A notarized permission for the child to travel abroad is also suitable.

To issue a notarized consent, you will need the original passports of both parents, their RNOKPP, as well as the child's birth certificate.

For more information about crossing the border with children in 2025, follow this link.

We talked about the features of crossing the border for 17-year-olds in a previous article.

Traveling abroad by own car in 2025

Ukrainians crossing the border by own car must have the following documents:

1. A driver's license that meets international standards.

2. A technical passport that has information in Cyrillic and Latin.

3. Ukrainian identification plate on a car (UA).

4. State license plate on a car.

5. Green Card insurance policy is an international insurance policy for motorists. The document is mandatory when traveling abroad for all vehicles registered in Ukraine. A Green Card is a civil car insurance policy that is valid outside of Ukraine. If you have a Green Card, if you get into an accident abroad, you can count on receiving compensation from an insurance agent.

Learn more about the benefits of the Green Card and the procedure for applying for a policy on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Do Ukrainians need to have an insurance policy to travel abroad in 2025?

Currently, the availability of an insurance policy is rarely asked when crossing the border, but its absence can have unpleasant consequences, because the healthcare system in many countries is built on insurance. Also, medical services for foreigners abroad are usually paid and very expensive. A health insurance policy will help avoid unnecessary expenses abroad.

Experienced travelers advise to additionally undergo a medical examination and visit a dentist before traveling to avoid emergency situations abroad.

If you are planning a trip to an exotic country, be sure to check the list of necessary vaccinations.

You can order an insurance policy with good coverage from a reliable insurance agent on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Which Ukrainians need a visa to travel abroad?

Ukrainian citizens can travel visa-free to 146 countries around the world. However, if you plan to work or study abroad, a permit is mandatory. Apply for a visa at the consulate of the country of destination before departure. Get legal advice to find out the visa requirements for the chosen country, depending on the purpose of your trip.

Customs control

Customs control is an important part of crossing the border. Here are the main rules for what can/cannot be imported into the EU:

✔️Allowed: personal belongings, small quantities of food (up to 2 kg), medicines for personal use, 2 packs of cigarettes, no more than 1 liter of alcohol per person

✔️ Prohibited: canned food, meat and dairy products, honey; weapons, explosives and other prohibited items; goods for commercial purposes without appropriate declarations.

EU Entry Control Systems EES and ETIAS

In 2025, new travel control systems are to be launched in the European Union:

1. EES – a biometric entry-exit control system that will replace the physical stamping of passports of citizens of countries eligible for visa-free entry to the EU during passport control. The EES will record certain information about foreigners entering the EU: passport data and biometric information (fingerprints and a photo of their face). The system will make it much easier to identify people who have overstayed their stay in the Schengen area.

2. ETIAS – a few months after the launch of the EES, the ETIAS system is to be launched. It will require foreigners who are citizens of non-EU countries but are eligible for visa-free entry to the region to go through a registration procedure before traveling, pay a visa fee of 7 euros and obtain an appropriate permit. This requirement applies to persons aged 18 to 70.

Based on the document, it is allowed to stay in the EU and Schengen area for 90 days.

After approval, the traveler does not need to re-register in the ETIAS system for three years.

The exact launch date of the EES and ETIAS is not yet known, so to stay up-to-date with current news from the world of migration, follow the “News” section on the Visit World portal.

We wish you a good trip!

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

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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;

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