Crossing the border with a child in 2026: updated rules and necessary documents

The rules for crossing the border with underage children have changed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Find out how to leave Ukraine with a child in 2026 and what documents you need to have

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine

BUY

The martial law regime introduced in Ukraine has simplified the rules for children travelling abroad. In particular, in 2026, minors can cross the border with one parent without the other's notarised consent. However, other permits may be required to travel abroad. Here's what documents you need to have and when you need them to cross the border with your children.

Planning a trip abroad?

Get reliable medical insurance from the Visit Ukraine portal in just a few minutes!

General rules for travelling abroad with children

The main document regulating the procedure for children to travel outside Ukraine is the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Procedure for Departure from and Entry into Ukraine by Citizens of Ukraine’. However, since the beginning of martial law, the rules have changed significantly, which has greatly simplified the border crossing procedure for families with children.

Children under the age of 16 can only travel with an adult. After reaching this age, they have the right to travel independently without any accompanying documents, except for a passport. This right is enshrined in Article 313 of the Civil Code of Ukraine.

Read here to find out how to get a passport for a child and how much it costs.

Can I go abroad at the age of 17 during the war?

A person who has reached the age of 17 may cross the border independently without parental permission, as the Civil Code of Ukraine provides for the right to travel abroad freely from the age of 16.

As for the process of employment abroad from the age of 17, the laws of the country where the work is planned should be observed, so it is worth getting acquainted with its labour legislation.

What documents are required for a child to travel abroad in 2026?

For children travelling abroad during martial law, simplified rules apply, which are reduced to a minimum list of documents. The main ones are:

- The child's birth certificate (in the absence of a passport).

- The child's international passport (if available).

- The child's internal passport (ID-card) - for travelling to countries that allow crossing the border with this document (for example, Turkey or Georgia).

It is particularly important that even in the absence of a passport, children can travel abroad on the basis of a birth certificate. This innovation greatly facilitates the process of crossing the border in critical situations.

Rules for men raising one or more children on their own: list of documents for crossing the border.

Travelling with a grandmother or other relatives

If the child is travelling with close relatives (grandparents, adult siblings, stepmother or stepfather), it is sufficient to provide

- The child's birth certificate.

- Documents confirming the relationship with the accompanying person.

In this case, a notarised permission from the parents is not required.

Departure of a child accompanied by third parties

In case of travelling with third parties (for example, family friends or teachers), it is mandatory to have:

- The child's birth certificate.

- A written application from one of the parents, certified by the guardianship and custody authority.

- Documents of the accompanying person.

If your situation is unusual or you have doubts about the correct list of documents, please consult Visit Ukraine lawyers. Our specialists will help you understand the requirements for children traveling abroad in your specific case.

Permission for a child to travel abroad - when is it needed?

Is a child's travel permit required in 2026? According to the SBGS portal, for the period of introduction of the martial law regime in Ukraine, the provisions of paragraph 13 of clause 2-3 of the Rules apply, according to which:

Children under the age of 16, accompanied by one of their parents, grandparents, adult brother, sister, stepmother, stepfather or other persons authorised by one of the parents in a written statement certified by the guardianship and custody authority, may leave Ukraine, is carried out without the notarised consent of the other parent and in the presence of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine or a child's birth certificate (in the absence of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine)/documents containing information about the person on the basis of which the State Border Guard Service will allow crossing the state border.

Do I need a parent's permission to take my child abroad?

Under martial law, the notarised consent of the other parent is no longer required. This has greatly simplified the procedure for children travelling with one parent. However, if the child's departure is planned for a long period of time or for permanent residence abroad, such consent may still be required.

Departure of men with many children from Ukraine: answers to questions.

List of documents required to obtain a notarial consent for a minor to cross the border

To obtain a notarial consent, you should provide the following documents to the notary:

- Original passports of the parents.

- Registration numbers of the parents' taxpayer registration cards.

- The child's birth certificate.

The document is drawn up in the form of a statement on which the authenticity of the parents' signatures is notarised. Notarised consent prevents the child from being illegally taken out of Ukraine.

Do you have questions about the interpretation of regulations during martial law? Or are you unsure whether you need the consent of the other parent in your specific situation? Visit Ukraine lawyers provide advice on general rules for traveling abroad and help you better navigate border control requirements.

Accompanying persons with disabilities abroad: who is eligible and what documents are required in 2025 - read here.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Is it possible to prohibit a child from crossing the Ukrainian border?

A parent may prohibit a child from leaving Ukraine during martial law. In this case, the question of whether a child needs permission to travel abroad during wartime may be addressed from a different angle.

However, it is not possible to prohibit a minor from crossing the border simply by words. To do this, you need to apply in writing to the Administration of the State Border Guard Service and attach a notarised form of disagreement with the child's departure.

If there are reasonable grounds that the child's travel abroad may harm him or her, the authorised judicial authorities may issue an order to the State Border Guard Service to prohibit the travel of certain persons.

In other words, if the State Border Guard Service receives an order to ban a certain person (child) from leaving Ukraine, the data on that person is entered into the relevant databases. If a person who is prohibited from crossing the border attempts to do so, the State Border Guard Service may take measures provided for by law and not let the person (child) go abroad.

What to do if the parent does not give permission for the child to travel abroad

To reiterate: during the period of martial law in Ukraine, a child under the age of 16 may travel abroad with the consent of the parent with whom he or she is crossing the border. Travelling abroad with one of the parents does not contradict the current legislation of Ukraine.

The same rules apply to cases where a child leaves Ukraine with a third party, and the child may travel abroad with the consent of only one of the parents.

Please note! Before the introduction of martial law in Ukraine, crossing the border with a child was possible only with the consent of both parents. The consent was notarised and the child was not allowed to leave the country without it.

And if, for example, the father did not give permission for the child to travel abroad, the mother was forced to resolve this issue personally with the child's father, or to go to court to obtain permission for the child to leave without the consent of the other parent. The latter option always takes a long time.

Today, taking a child abroad without the parent's consent is a common practice.

You can find out if you can cross the Ukrainian border without a passport here.

Travelling abroad for orphans: what do you need to know?

When orphans or children deprived of parental care cross the border, their legal status must be taken into account. Namely:

1. Children in healthcare or educational institutions may travel abroad with the notarised consent of the head of the institution and accompanied by a person authorised by him/her.

2. Children in foster families cross the border with the original or a notarised copy of the foster care agreement and accompanied by the foster parents or one of them.

3. Children from family-type children's homes may leave on the basis of an agreement on the organisation of the family-type children's home and accompanied by foster parents.

4. Children under guardianship or custody established by the guardianship authorities leave with the original or a notarised copy of the decision on guardianship and accompanied by the guardian.

5. Children under court-ordered guardianship cross the border on the basis of a court decision or a notarised copy thereof and accompanied by a guardian or custodian.

6. Children placed in foster care leave the country on the basis of a foster care agreement certified by the local authorities, accompanied by a foster carer.

7. If one of the parents is a foster parent or carer, departure is carried out with the notarised consent of the other parent, if he/she is not present at the border.

Travelling abroad by men raising children on their own

It is known that during martial law, men of military age cannot travel abroad, but there are exceptions that apply to men who are raising a child under 18 years of age on their own. Such men have the right to cross the state border.

To do so, they must provide the border service with the child's birth certificate and proof that the man is the sole caregiver.

Such confirmations may include:

- A death certificate of the mother.

- A court decision to deprive the mother of parental rights.

- A court decision declaring the mother missing.

- A court decision declaring the mother dead.

Please note! In some cases, the court may decide to take the child from the mother without depriving her of parental rights.

Remember. The rules for crossing the border by citizens of Ukraine during martial law, including children, children with disabilities, sick, orphans or those deprived of parental care, are set out in paragraphs 21-25 of the Rules for Crossing the Border, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 57 of 27 January 1995 (as amended).

Tip: If you are preparing for a trip abroad with a child and want to be sure that your documents are in order, get individual advice from Visit Ukraine lawyers. We will tell you what to pay attention to in your particular case to avoid misunderstandings at the border.

And when planning a trip with a child, don't forget the most important thing — health. Medical insurance, which can be purchased on the Visit Ukraine portal, guarantees access to quality care abroad: from pediatric consultations to emergency hospitalization. You can purchase a policy online in just a few minutes.

We remind you! Restrictions on travelling abroad will apply to certain categories of women in Ukraine at the beginning of 2026. Which women will be prohibited from leaving Ukraine in 2026 and whether it will be possible to mobilise them — read here.

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.

© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.