By car to Poland
Before entering
1. Make sure that all the documents for the car and the driver are in order (passport, registration certificate, insurance, driver's license, power of attorney, if necessary).
2. Prepare your luggage: separate personal belongings, items for inspection, and a first aid kit.
At the Ukrainian border
When you arrive at the border post, you will be issued a special ticket, which indicates
- number of passengers
- parameters of the car;
- date and time of entry.
The coupon is filled out exclusively by border guards; the driver or passengers do not have to enter the information themselves. The car goes through customs control:
- baggage and interior are checked;
- documents are checked;
- they may ask to see a first aid kit, a vest, an emergency stop sign.
After the inspection, a mark is put in the ticket, which confirms the completion of the Ukrainian part of the control.
At the Polish border
The check is usually more thorough:
- scanning of documents;
- inspection of luggage;
- additional questions about the route and purpose of the trip.
They also put a mark in the ticket, after which you officially enter the territory of Poland. Make sure that your passport has border crossing stamps (entry/exit ) - mistakes often occur.
What you can and cannot import
1. You cannot transport weapons, drugs, large amounts of alcohol and tobacco.
2. There are restrictions on products of animal origin (meat, sausages, dairy products).
3. Personal belongings and small amounts of food for personal consumption are allowed.
Temporary importation
A car registered in Ukraine can be imported into Poland without paying customs duties for a period of up to 6 months within a year. This period may be extended in exceptional cases (e.g., if the residence permit in Poland is extended).
- During this period, the car must retain its Ukrainian registration.
- It is prohibited to transfer the car to third parties, sell it or use it for commercial transportation.
- Upon expiration of the importation period, the car must be taken back to Ukraine or customs cleared.
Customs clearance
If you decide to leave the car in Poland (for example, for a long stay), you need to go through the customs clearance procedure:
1. Pay customs duties and excise duty.
2. Submit documents to the Polish Customs (Urząd Celny).
3. Register the car in the Polish register (Starostwo Powiatowe).
Violation of the terms or conditions of temporary importation is punishable by fines and possible confiscation of the car.
If you have temporary protection status (UKR status)
Previously, Ukrainian citizens with temporary protection status could use Ukrainian driving licenses without exchanging them for Polish ones.
This was allowed by the Regulation (EU) 2022/1280 of the European Parliament and of the Council of July 18, 2022. However, this option was only valid until September 30, 2025.
Please note: starting from October 1, 2025, Ukrainian driving licenses will become invalid in Poland, and drivers with UKR status are also required to exchange them for Polish ones.
Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a fine of PLN 2000 (approximately UAH 22,000).
If you have a different residence status
For Ukrainians who do not have temporary protection in Poland, standard rules still apply. They now apply to everyone without exception:
1. A Ukrainian certificate can be used for no more than 180 days from the date of commencement of official residence.
2. After that, it is necessary to exchange the certificate for a Polish one.
For the exchange you need:
- a medical certificate;
- Ukrainian driver's license;
- a completed application form;
- payment of the fee (about PLN 100).
For professional drivers
Starting from June 17, 2024, a separate rule applies to taxi, bus and truck drivers: you must have a Polish driving license, even if you have a UKR status.
Before traveling to Poland, be sure to get a Green Card - an international insurance certificate that confirms the driver's civil liability abroad.
What does the Green Card cover
- Compensation for damage caused to third parties in an accident.
- Material damage to another car or property.
- Medical expenses of the victims.
Without a Green Card, crossing the border will be impossible!
➡️ On our website you can apply for a Green Card online - quickly, reliably and without queues.
Main speed limits
In a residential area - 50 km/h (from 23:00 to 5:00 - 60 km/h).
Country roads - 90 km/h.
Expressway (droga ekspresowa) - 120 km/h.
Highway - 140 km/h.
Traffic features
- In Poland, it is mandatory to use dipped headlights around the clock.
- Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.
- It is forbidden to use a phone without a headset or hands-free system.
- Children under 150 cm must be transported in a car seat or booster seat.
Alcohol
- The permissible level of alcohol in the blood is 0.2 ppm.
- Violation: a fine of 5000 PLN, deprivation of rights, even imprisonment.
Parking
In major cities, there are paid parking zones (Strefa Płatnego Parkowania).
- The fee is usually charged on weekdays from 8:00 to 18:00.
- Cost: from 3 to 10 PLN per hour, depending on the city.
- Payment through parking meters (cash, card) or mobile applications (SkyCash, moBILET).
‼️ The fine for not paying for parking is usually 150-300 PLN, depending on the city and type of violation.
Toll roads
- Some highways (A1, A2, A4) are tolled.
- You can pay at toll booths or through the e-TOLL system.
- For passenger cars, the cost depends on the distance: for example, traveling on the A2 from Poznan to Warsaw costs about PLN 100.
If there are victims
1. Immediately call the police and an ambulance (112).
2. Provide first aid to the victims.
If there are no victims
1. Move the car (if it is safe to do so).
2. Turn on the hazard lights, put up an emergency stop sign (30 meters outside the city, 100 meters on the highway).
3. Fill out the European protocol (Europejski formularz zgłoszenia szkody) - it is available from the insurer or online.
If a car with foreign registration is damaged, the police are often called even in case of minor damage.
Driver requirements
- Age - at least 21 years (some companies - from 23 years).
- Driving experience - from 1 year.
- Required documents: foreign passport, Ukrainian driver's license, bank card for deposit.
What is included
- Basic insurance (OC - civil liability).
- Possibility to pay extra for full coverage (CDW, Super CDW).
- Additional options: GPS, child seat, Wi-Fi modem.
💡 Many companies require an additional deposit, which is blocked on the bank card. The deposit amount can range from 1000 to 5000 PLN, depending on the car category and rental conditions.
1. Check
- serviceability of brakes, headlights, turn signals;
- oil and washer fluid level;
- availability of a spare tire or repair kit.
2. Be sure to carry:
- first aid kit
- reflective vest;
- emergency stop sign;
- fire extinguisher;
- a set of spare lamps.
3. Download useful mobile applications:
- Google Maps or Waze - for navigation;
- SkyCash - for parking;
- e-TOLL PL - for toll roads.
4. Prepare cash (small bills and coins) for parking meters or gas stations.
5. Take out medical insurance in case of illness or accident.
Services from Visit Ukraine for traveling by car
Traveling abroad by car means freedom and a new level of comfort, but also a great responsibility. We understand all your needs and are ready to help you at the planning stage.
- A Green Card is a mandatory document for entering Poland by car. We will help you apply for it online in a few minutes, without queues and unnecessary hassle.
- Health insurance is no less important, because in case of illness or an accident, you will receive high-quality medical care without unexpected expenses.
- Legal advice - we will help you to understand all the issues: from customs clearance to fines or paperwork in Poland.
- Bus and train tickets - an alternative option for those who do not want to drive.
- 24/7 support - we are always in touch and ready to help in any situation during the trip.
With Visit Ukraine, your trip will be safe, comfortable and carefree!