Is it possible to enter Ukraine in a foreign rented car?

Planning a trip to Ukraine in a rented car from Europe? Find out what you need to know about border crossing, documents, insurance and rules for 2025

Legal assistance on entry and stay in Ukraine

GET

Renting a car is a popular way to travel comfortably and independently. In particular, most international rental companies allow travel on such transport outside the country of rental, for example, to another Schengen country. But can you drive to Ukraine in a car that was rented in another country?

Read about the rules, restrictions and features of such a trip in this article.

Is it possible to cross the border of Ukraine in a car rented in another country?

Tourists and guests of Ukraine often ask the question: is it possible to enter Ukraine in a rented car? The answer is yes, technically it is possible, but with certain conditions:

- Higher rental fee

Usually, when renting a car in which it is planned to cross European borders, a higher rental fee is charged, which should cover the additional insurance necessary to take the car outside the country where you rented it.

- Rental company restrictions

If you are planning a trip to Ukraine by rental car, it is important to consider that not all rental companies in Europe are ready to provide a car for entry into the territory of Ukraine due to security and logistical risks.

For example, if you want  to find out whether can i rent a car in Poland and drive to Ukraine, this information should be clarified with the rental company, in particular whether it is allowed to enter the territory of Ukraine in their car.

Often, rental agreements restrict travel outside the country of rental or require additional permits.

If you managed to rent a car abroad and you are going to Ukraine with it, keep in mind that at the border they may conduct a more thorough check of the technical condition of such a car and documents. Therefore, you need to prepare well for such a trip.

Need help organizing a trip to Ukraine? With Visit Ukraine you will receive full support - from transfers to hotel reservations, insurance and even meeting at the train station. Read in this article how Visit Ukraine will help make your trip to Ukraine as comfortable as possible.

What documents are required to enter Ukraine by rented car?

For legal and safe entry into Ukraine by rented car, you need to have the following package of documents:

1. Passport and, if necessary, a visa (depending on your citizenship).

Read this material about the basic requirements for entering Ukraine in 2025, including visa rules, required documents, medical insurance and security requirements.

2. Medical insurance policy that covers compensation for military risks.

Medical insurance with military coverage, a special document that provides foreign citizens with financial protection in the event of an accident as a result of military actions. Given the current situation in Ukraine, such insurance is a critically important element of security for foreigners planning a trip to Ukraine.

Apply for a medical insurance policy with war risk coverage from trusted insurance agents in just a couple of clicks on the Visit Ukraine portal.

3. Car rental agreement, which clearly states that you have the right to travel abroad in this car.

4. International driver's license, taking into account that you plan to drive the car outside the rental country.

5. Vehicle registration certificate - technical passport.

6. Power of attorney - if you are not the owner of the car, you must have a notarized general power of attorney for the right to import and export the vehicle.

7. Car insurance for Ukraine.

- Car insurance in Ukraine: what is required at the border and what do you actually need to have?

The minimum required when crossing the border is an international certificate "Green Card".

However, it is important to remember that in the current security situation in Ukraine, it is necessary to take care of compensation for additional risks for the rented car.

To cover additional unforeseen situations, it is worth taking out a Mini CASCO Ukraine insurance policy - this is a special policy that covers the basic risks, as well as the “Green Card”, and also allows you to feel more protected on the roads of Ukraine, including in war conditions.

What does Mini CASCO cover?

On the Visit Ukraine insurance website, you can buy Mini CASCO with different coverage. Currently, three packages are available to customers:

● Economy: compensation for damages in the event of an accident involving another car;

● Basic: coverage for damages in the event of an accident with another vehicle and compensation in the event of complete destruction of the car due to natural disasters;

● Maximum + war risks: includes coverage of the Economy and Basic packages and additionally includes protection against passive war risks and coverage of tow truck services.

Rules for entering and staying in Ukraine with a car with foreign registration

- Conditions for temporary import of a rented car into Ukraine

A rented car with a foreign registration can be temporarily imported into Ukraine, but it is worth following clear rules:

● For foreigners - it is allowed to import a car for a period of up to 1 year without paying duty, provided that it is for personal use. If the car is staying for more than 2 months, temporary registration is required at the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

● For citizens of Ukraine – residents of Ukraine can import a car for up to 60 days per year without a deposit.

If the temporary import period is exceeded, fines are imposed (from 210 UAH to 10,500 UAH and more).

- Is it possible to transfer the right to drive an imported car to another person?

Transferring the control of a rented car to another person is prohibited if this person did not import the car personally. This is a violation of the customs regime and may result in a fine of 42,000 UAH.

Even if the car is rented under a general power of attorney, only the person for whom the entry is issued can driving in Ukraine. Otherwise, this will be considered a violation of customs legislation.

Customs procedures and temporary import of cars into Ukraine

When entering Ukraine with a foreign-registered car, the customs regimes of temporary import or transit apply:

- Temporary import: allowed for non-residents for up to one year without paying customs duties. Residents of Ukraine can import a car for up to 60 days per year without a deposit.

- Transit: allowed for up to 10 days (or 5 days in the area of ​​operation of one customs office) without paying customs duties.

Violation of the terms of stay of the car in Ukraine may result in fines and other legal consequences.

Customs requirements in Ukraine

- Cash

A foreigner can import or export from Ukraine any amount of cash up to 10,000 euros or the equivalent in other currencies (including Ukrainian), verbally notifying the customs officer about this. This applies to any person, regardless of age. When importing or exporting cash exceeding 10,000 euros or equivalent, you must fill out a customs declaration and provide proof of origin from your bank.

- Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes

If you are 18 years old or older, you can legally import into Ukraine: 1 liter of liquor, 2 liters of wine, 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco.

- Food

Food worth the equivalent of 50 euros, the weight of each product must not exceed 2 kg or more per package.

Read here what products can be imported into and exported from Ukraine.

- Declaring items

Items worth less than 200 euros can be imported into Ukraine duty-free. Items worth between 200 and 1,000 euros must be declared in the civil declaration, and over 1,000 euros in the cargo declaration.

A permit is required to export art objects such as paintings, sculptures, and antiques from Ukraine. Such permits are issued by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.

What to do in case of a road accident in Ukraine in a rented or foreign car?

If you are involved in a road accident in Ukraine, follow the following algorithm:

1. Stop the car and turn on the emergency lights.

2. Call the police at 102. Their presence is mandatory for the official recording of the circumstances of the accident.

3. Take a photo or video of the accident scene and damage.

4. Exchange contacts with all participants in the event.

We also recommend that you keep copies of all documents related to the trip: driver's license, car documents, power of attorney (if the car is not yours), as well as notes about the conversation with the police.

Traveling to Ukraine in a rented car abroad is quite possible, but it requires careful preparation. You must agree on the conditions with the rental company in advance, prepare a full package of documents and take into account the peculiarities of Ukrainian legislation. In addition, it is important to be prepared for unforeseen situations, including on the road and as a result of military operations.

Even a short trip to Ukraine can result in unexpected expenses. Mini CASCO will cover losses in the event of an accident, natural disaster or even military risks.

Apply for a policy online in 5 minutes at Visit Ukraine — and go to Ukraine with confidence!

Reminder! There is no ban on entry for cars with foreign license plates, however, the law provides for a number of restrictions on the use of such a car on the territory of Ukraine. We have already told you what rules apply to Ukrainians and foreigners in 2025.

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.

© 2018-2025, 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.