Queues at the border with Poland in May and June 2025: repairs at checkpoints and alternative routes

In May 2025, significant delays are expected at the border with Poland due to repair work. Find out which checkpoints are best to avoid and how to plan your trip without unnecessary queues

Get insurance Green Card for traveling abroad by car online in 5 minutes!

BUY

Complications are expected again at the Ukrainian-Polish border. In May 2025, large-scale repair work will begin at several key checkpoints, which are traditionally among the busiest. This may cause significant queues both at the entrance to Poland and at the exit, so Ukrainians should change their route in advance.

At which border crossing points with Poland will there be delays: list and dates

According to official information from the State Border Service of Ukraine, the main reason for the expected queues is road repair work at the Krakivets checkpoint in Lviv region. There are plans to completely replace the asphalt pavement on:

● the entry lane for freight clearance from Ukraine to Poland;

● the exit lane for passenger clearance from Poland to Ukraine.

Repairs will begin on May 8, 2025, and will continue until mid-June. This is a period when traffic across the border intensifies every year due to spring and summer travel, seasonal work abroad, and vacations. It is obvious that the partial closure of certain areas in Krakivets will significantly reduce its throughput capacity.

In addition, we would like to remind you that reconstruction work is also ongoing at the Shehyni checkpoint. Frequent queues to enter Poland from the Ukrainian side are reported at this section of the border, especially on peak days (Friday-Sunday). Repairs at Shehyni have been ongoing for about a month and it is currently unknown when they will be completed.

Given the situation, Ukrainians planning to travel to Poland in May or early summer should avoid the following checkpoints:

● Krakivets — serious complications are expected due to road works;

● Shehyni — queues are already forming due to ongoing repairs.

Even if you are traveling by car and are not transporting cargo, keep in mind that restrictions on cargo often cause congestion at passenger checkpoints.

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

Where are the shortest queues now: alternative checkpoints for travel to Poland

To avoid long waits, it is worth using less congested checkpoints. Border guards advise considering the following options:

● Smilnytsia — low border traffic, but passenger cars are also allowed through;

● Nyzhankovychi — a new checkpoint that is rapidly gaining popularity, with minimal queues so far;

● Rava-Ruska — a fairly efficient option on weekdays;

● Hrushev and Uhryniv — convenient for residents of the southern part of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.

Before traveling, we recommend checking the online queues on the official website of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. This will help you avoid unexpected delays.

It is also important to remember that international insurance — a Green Card — is mandatory for entering Poland and other EU countries by car. It can be easily purchased online on the Visit Ukraine portal, which offers current rates, quick registration, and support in Ukrainian. In case of delays at the border or an emergency situation in the EU, having insurance is not only a legal requirement but also real protection.

We remind you! In 2025, a new airline, Air 001, will begin operating in Poland, operated by the tour operator Itaka. Ukrainians will be able to travel to Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and other warm countries from Polish cities. Read about what will change in the tourism market in our previous article.

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

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, 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.