Entry to Ukraine in 2025: do Estonian citizens need a visa?

Estonians can enter the territory of Ukraine on the basis of a visa-free regime. However, there are cases when foreigners need to apply for a visa. Find out more about the rules for entering Ukraine from Estonia and the documents required to apply for a visa if you need one

Reliable medical insurance for foreigners in Ukraine

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Ukraine and Estonia have a visa-free regime, but in some cases, foreigners still need to obtain a visa to enter the country. We will tell you what entry rules apply to visa-free border crossing, when you need to obtain a visa, and how to prepare for a trip to a country at war.

Ukraine is a fascinating country with unique natural and historical sights. The desire to immerse themselves in Ukrainian culture encourages foreigners to come to the country, even though russia continues to attack cities.

The visa-free regime makes it easier to come to Ukraine, but the closed airspace makes it necessary to plan your trip carefully and choose several types of transportation. Here are the rules of visa-free travel, tips for buying tickets to Ukraine, and the most convenient ways to get to the desired city.

We talked about how to cross the border of Ukraine in 2025 in a previous article.

Detailed information that will be useful when planning a trip to Ukraine can be found here:

– Travel to Ukraine for tourism.

– Employment in Ukraine.

– Immigration to Ukraine.

– Studying in Ukraine.

– Travelling to Ukraine by car.

– Popular destinations in Ukraine.

– Support Ukraine.

Traveling from Estonia under the visa-free regime

Ukraine and Estonia have established a visa-free regime for their citizens. With valid identity documents, Estonians can freely travel to Ukraine. The visa-free regime allows for a 90-day stay in Ukraine within a 180-day period.

In order to avoid problems when crossing the border, a foreigner must have:

● a health insurance policy;

● confirmation of the purpose of the trip, such as hotel reservations, rental agreements, travel vouchers, tickets to seminars, exhibitions, fairs, invitations from companies, etc;

● proof of sufficient financial support - $45 per person for each day of stay in Ukraine.

Important! If foreigners plan to work or study in Ukraine, they must obtain an appropriate visa.

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When do Estonian citizens need to apply for a visa to Ukraine?

A visa is required to enter Ukraine in the following cases:

● The planned period of stay in Ukraine exceeds 90 days;

● The foreigner plans to work or receive education;

● The foreigner plans to obtain a permanent residence permit in Ukraine.

Citizens of other countries can obtain one of three types of visas: 

● transit (type B) for traveling through the territory of Ukraine to a third country. The permitted period of stay on such a visa does not exceed 5 days;

● short-term (type C) for a stay in Ukraine for up to 90 days within 180 days;

● Long-term (type D) for further processing by the competent authorities of Ukraine of documents entitling to stay or reside in Ukraine for more than 90 days.

Current rules for foreigners entering Ukraine — compiled at the link.

List of documents required to obtain a visa to Ukraine

To obtain a visa, you need to prepare the following documents:

● A passport that is valid for three months from the date of arrival in Ukraine, contains at least two pages and is issued for a maximum of ten years;

● Visa application form (can be filled in online)

● a color photograph of 35*45 mm in size;

● a health insurance policy with at least EUR 30,000 coverage;

● a document confirming the availability of sufficient financial security;

● a document confirming payment of the consular fee.

If you are unsure whether you need a visa or are having difficulty preparing your documents, please contact Visit Ukraine's lawyers, who provide advice to foreigners on visa and immigration issues.

How to get from Estonia to Ukraine?

The airspace in Ukraine is still closed, so the only way to come to Ukraine is to use land transportation. Since Estonia does not share a border with Ukraine, tourists need to choose either a bus or a flight with a subsequent train transfer. 

To simplify the planning process, we have prepared the most convenient ways to enter Ukraine from Estonia. Check out the most convenient routes here.

Where to find tickets?

There are a lot of bus companies connecting Europe and Ukraine. However, we recommend choosing reliable companies to make your experience pleasant and positive.

Tickets for buses, trains, and planes can be quickly booked on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Is insurance required to enter Ukraine?

Yes, medical insurance is a mandatory requirement. The policy must be valid for the entire period of stay and issued either by a Ukrainian insurance company or a foreign company that has an agreement with Ukrainian partners.

We previously wrote about the current rules for obtaining insurance for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad.

Where can I quickly obtain insurance in Ukraine?

You can quickly and safely obtain an insurance policy on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Select the type of policy you need (with or without coverage for military risks), pay online, and instantly receive the document by email.

Visit Ukraine guarantees that the policy meets the requirements of border guards, convenient registration and 24/7 support.

Legal assistance with visas or immigration to Ukraine

When is legal assistance recommended?

Professional support will be especially useful in the following cases:

– when applying for a long-term D-type visa;

– when applying for a residence permit;

– when appealing a visa refusal;

– when obtaining official invitations;

– when preparing a complex package of documents;

– when moving for humanitarian or educational purposes.

Visit Ukraine is a team of experienced lawyers who specialise in visa and immigration support. They will help you avoid mistakes, save time and go through the procedures without stress.

Useful tips for travellers visiting Ukraine

- Safety first. Before travelling, be sure to check the latest information on the security situation, avoid visiting combat zones and follow the recommendations of local authorities.

- Contact the Estonia Embassy. Keep the embassy's contact details in Ukraine for emergencies: Kyiv, 43B Yevhen Chykalenko Street; (+38044) 590 24 40.

- Documents and insurance. Always carry your passport and proof of insurance covering medical care, including war risks.

- Cash and bank cards. It is better to have some cash in hryvnia and dollars with you, as well as active international Visa or MasterCard cards.

- Transport and travel. Use official taxis or apps, avoid questionable routes, especially at night.

- Language and culture. Ukrainians are very hospitable, but knowing basic phrases in Ukrainian will help you communicate.

- Tickets. You can buy tickets to Ukraine by plane, train or bus on the Visit Ukraine portal. See the schedule and book at the link.

- Book hotels here. Rules for renting an apartment in Ukraine for foreigners are in this article.

- Car rental. To feel more mobile while travelling in Ukraine, we recommend renting a car.

- Volunteering. Read this article to find out how to come to Ukraine as a volunteer.

- Souvenirs. Stylish clothing and accessories to remember Ukraine by can be found here.

We wish you a pleasant journey!

Reminder! From the picturesque Carpathian Mountains to historic cities and the warm Black Sea, Ukraine is ready to surprise you with its hospitality, nature, and unique experiences. But for your trip to be truly successful, it is important to plan it correctly. We have already told you how to properly organise a trip to Ukraine in 2025.

Photo: Shutterstock

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

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

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;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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