Identity card for returning to Ukraine: new rules for returning home in transit through Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany and Turkey

Are you abroad without a passport or other documents? In such a situation, Ukrainians can use a certificate of identity for return to Ukraine, which is issued by diplomatic missions. Learn more about the rules for obtaining a certificate and the specifics of transit through different countries

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An identity card for returning to Ukraine is a document that confirms citizenship and gives the right to enter Ukraine in case of loss of another identity card and documents giving the right to leave. We are talking about the new rules for returning to Ukraine from abroad with such a certificate.

How to renew your foreign passport abroad and leave the country — we explain here.

What is a certificate for return to Ukraine?

A certificate of return to Ukraine is an official document issued by Ukrainian diplomatic missions abroad. It confirms Ukrainian citizenship (except in cases provided for by law), certifies the identity of the holder and grants the right to return to their homeland.

This document may be issued:

– to Ukrainian citizens in case of loss, theft or expiry of their passport;

– stateless persons with the right of permanent residence in Ukraine;

– foreigners and stateless persons who are recognised in Ukraine as refugees or persons in need of additional protection in case of loss or invalidity of their documents.

How to return to Ukraine without a foreign passport — read the link.

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Who needs a certificate for return to Ukraine and when?

The certificate is issued in the following cases:

– if the document certifying the identity and citizenship of Ukraine has been lost or stolen abroad;

– if the passport or other document has expired;

– if the document has been invalidated for other reasons;

– if a citizen of Ukraine has never had a document certifying their identity and citizenship.

A certificate may also be issued to persons who have been decided to be readmitted or deported from a foreign country.

How to get to Ukraine via Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Moldova — we explain here.

If you find yourself abroad without documents or do not know how to properly obtain a certificate for return to Ukraine, it is important to have specialists at your side. Migration lawyers from the Visit Ukraine portal will help you prepare documents, submit an application to the consulate and avoid mistakes that could delay your return.

How to obtain a certificate for return to Ukraine?

The certificate is issued by foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine.

Terms:

– from 1 to 5 working days after submission of a complete set of documents and payment of the consular fee;

– in case of additional checks – up to 30 days.

Documents to be submitted:

– application form (in person or by a legal representative for children and incapacitated persons);

– a report or certificate from a foreign authority confirming the loss or theft of the passport;

– if available, old identity documents;

– the child's birth certificate or certificate of registration as a citizen of Ukraine (for children born abroad);

– a document proving the identity of the legal representative and confirming their powers;

– a 10×15 cm photograph (for children under 12 years of age or if they are unable to come to the diplomatic mission);

– confirmation of payment of the consular fee.

Documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a notarised translation into Ukrainian.

The completed certificate is issued personally to the applicant or their legal representative. In exceptional cases, it may be sent by post or courier service.

In which countries can you get a Ukrainian passport — find out by following the link.

The documents required for obtaining a certificate often include confirmation of return tickets to Ukraine. To save time and quickly find the right flight, you can use the ticket service on the Visit Ukraine portal, which offers air, bus and train routes from different countries around the world.

Return to Ukraine by transit through Germany

Germany recognizes the Identity Card for return to Ukraine exclusively as a temporary document valid for the return of a person from the country of residence to Ukraine.

If you received a document in another country of residence and are returning home through Germany in transit from another country, then you do not have the right to cross the country's state border and stay in Germany.

Attention! Germany cannot be considered a country for ground transit to Ukraine, as it does not share a common border with Ukraine.

That is, you cannot go by ground transport, transit through Germany is possible only by air and without leaving the transit zone of the airport.

In order to avoid misunderstandings and inconveniences, take into account the peculiarities of transit through the territory of Germany when planning the return route from the host country to Ukraine on the basis of an identity card for returning to Ukraine.

Return by transit through Bulgaria

If you are returning home and traveling through Bulgaria with a Return Certificate, you must apply for a Bulgarian transit visa in the country you are leaving from.

Return to Ukraine by transit through Poland

If you are returning home and traveling through Poland with a Return Certificate, you must apply for a Polish transit visa in the country of your stay.

In the event that citizens of Ukraine enter the territory of Poland from Lithuania, Belarus and other countries where there is no Polish diplomatic mission, and it is impossible to issue a visa, the issue of the pass will be considered by the Polish border guards on a case-by-case basis.

Return by transit through Turkey

Ukrainians transiting through Turkey from Georgia, Armenia and other countries on the eastern border may cross the Turkish border with the following documents:

• Identity card for return to Ukraine;

• passport;

• passport of a citizen of Ukraine in the form of a booklet or ID card.

In addition, the Turkish side left the possibility of entry using passports of citizens of Ukraine of the old model when following from EU countries, including on the birth certificate for children in certain cases.

At the same time, there is the possibility of pasting a transit visa in the diplomatic institutions of EU countries accredited in Turkey for their further follow-up to EU countries or return to Ukraine.

You cannot enter Turkey from EU countries with an ID card for returning to Ukraine. And if it is a transit flight, exiting the transit zone of the airport is prohibited.

Return to Ukraine by transit through Romania

Romania has a common border with Ukraine, so transit from a third country to Ukraine through Romania is possible without a visa. Romania also adopted additional rules for Ukrainians who left Ukraine after February 24, 2022, so now Ukrainian citizens can present one of the following documents at border control for transit through Romania:

• internal passport in the form of a booklet or card;

• biometric or non-biometric foreign passport;

• Birth Certificate;

• children can be entered in the passport of one of the parents.

Returning to Ukraine under difficult circumstances always involves legal nuances. To avoid risks and correctly obtain a certificate or other documents, seek the help of Visit Ukraine's migration lawyers — they provide online consultations and accompany you every step of the way.

Book a consultation today to return home without any unnecessary obstacles!

Reminder! Many Ukrainians are planning to return home after the war. How to return to Ukraine after the war, key legal, financial and social steps — read here.

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

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