Zelensky proposes to allow Ukrainians under 22 to travel abroad: what is known about the initiative

Ukraine may change the rules for young men traveling abroad. Find out why Zelensky proposes to allow travel for those under 22 and what the initiative is about

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed the government and military command to consider lifting restrictions on young men under the age of 22 leaving Ukraine. According to Ukrinform, the head of state made this statement during the Ukrainian Youth Forum 2025 “Youth Is Here.”

It should be noted that since the introduction of martial law in Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 have been prohibited from leaving the country. Currently, exceptions apply only to certain categories: for more details on which men will be allowed to travel abroad in 2025, follow the link.

The president's proposal to allow men under 22 to travel abroad

During his speech at the youth forum “Youth is here!”, which took place on August 12 in Kyiv, Zelensky emphasized the importance of creating conditions for the development and realization of Ukrainian youth. According to him, raising the age limit from 18 to 22 will allow young people to maintain closer ties with their homeland and help them realize their potential in Ukraine.

Zelensky instructed the Cabinet of Ministers, together with the military command, to work out a mechanism to simplify the crossing of the state border for young citizens.

For more information on the current rules for traveling abroad for 16 and 17-year-old young people, please refer to our previous articles.

It should be noted that the “Youth is Here!” forum is being held for the third time on the occasion of International Youth Day. This year, the events took place on August 9-10 in Lviv and on August 12 in Kyiv. The events were attended by youth leaders from all over Ukraine, representatives of the authorities, public organizations, international partners, and diplomats.

The main goal of the forum is to develop proposals for the implementation of the “Youth of Ukraine” program for 2026-2030, which provides for support for young people in all areas of state policy and the creation of conditions for their development in Ukraine.

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Previous discussions on easing restrictions

The idea of raising the age limit at which the ban takes effect has been discussed before. In May 2025, Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi said that parliament had begun discussing the possibility of partially easing restrictions and allowing men under the age of 25 to leave the country. And in July, Verkhovna Rada spokesman Ruslan Stefanchuk announced that raising the “departure age” to 24 was being discussed.

The president's proposal for a threshold of 22 years was the first official step in this direction by the head of state. However, the decision still has to be agreed upon by the government and the military command.

If Zelensky's initiative is implemented, Ukrainians under the age of 22 will be able to legally travel abroad without additional exceptions. At the same time, Visit Ukraine lawyers advise not to forget about preparing documents for staying abroad in advance: have a valid passport, medical insurance, confirmation of the purpose of the trip, and proof of financial support.

It is especially important to consider the issue of formal education or employment abroad in order to avoid risks from foreign border and migration services. The team of migration lawyers at Visit Ukraine can help with this. They advise Ukrainians on legalization in EU countries, obtaining residence and work permits, and assist in preparing documents.

Contact us now for advice to prepare for possible changes and get answers to all your questions!

We remind you! Ukrainians continue to face numerous questions regarding leaving the country under martial law and crossing the border with the EU in 2025. New rules, biometric systems, documents for adults and children — all this requires clear answers and up-to-date information. Read more about the rules for leaving Ukraine, entering the EU, and the necessary documents in our previous article.

Photo: State Border Service of Ukraine

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