Entry requirements
What You Need to Enter Ukraine in 2026
Ukraine is open to foreign visitors by land. Here is the short list of what you actually need at the checkpoint — and what you don't.
Last updated: 2026-09-14
The checklist
- 1. Passport — valid for your whole stay. Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada and dozens of other countries enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180; others need a visa or e-Visa. Citizens of Türkiye and Georgia may enter on a national ID card.
- 2. Medical insurance certificate — foreign nationals are expected to hold valid cover for the full stay, and officers may ask for proof next to your passport. Issued as an instant PDF from €3.56.
- 3. A clear purpose of travel — usually nothing to show for tourists; an invitation or enrollment letter shortens questions for work, study and volunteering.
- 4. Means of support — enough money for the stay and the journey home, or a lawful way of obtaining it while you are here.
- 5. No entry ban — entry is refused only where an authorised Ukrainian body has barred it.
Martial-law notes for foreigners
Ukrainian airspace remains closed to civil aviation, so all entry is by land (or ferry from İstanbul when running). Curfew hours are set regionally and change — check the rule for the region you are heading to rather than trusting a figure you read a month ago. Being out during curfew without a permit is not allowed.
Border crossings from Russia and Belarus are closed. Entry through occupied territory is a criminal offence under Ukrainian law.
One practical exception worth knowing: a Ukrainian residence permit that expired after 24 February 2022 still gets you in.
Where the rules come from
This is a summary for foreign nationals, not the regulation itself — border control decides each case and the rules change. Primary sources: the State Border Guard Service (dpsu.gov.ua) for crossing conditions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.gov.ua) for visa policy. This page is reviewed monthly against both.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners enter Ukraine right now?
Yes. Land borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova are open, and foreigners enter daily for tourism, business, study, journalism and volunteering.
Is travel insurance checked at the border?
It can be — checks are selective, more likely for longer stays, work or media entry, and entry can be refused without valid cover. Having the PDF ready on your phone keeps the crossing quick either way.
Do I need a visa?
That depends on your nationality: a visa is required unless Ukrainian law exempts your country. Check your own case before travelling — the border guard applies the rule as it stands on the day.
Get your certificate before you travel
Instant PDF, accepted at every open crossing. From €3.56.
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