Border crossing rules 2025: how to leave Ukraine

Every day, dozens of Ukrainians of different genders and ages travel abroad. Find out the current rules for crossing the border in 2025 and plan your trip in advance

Legal advice on migration issues

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Crossing the border in 2025 remains a pressing issue for Ukrainians, as the state of war in Ukraine has brought about changes to the usual rules. When planning to travel abroad, it is important for Ukrainians to familiarise themselves with the current requirements and prepare all the necessary documents for the border in advance.

Who is eligible to leave Ukraine in 2025?

In general, border crossing rules allow women, children and men who are not subject to mobilisation or have valid reasons for leaving to leave Ukraine. The categories of citizens who can leave during the war are clearly defined by law.

If your situation is unusual or you have doubts about your right to leave, it is best to consult with an immigration lawyer. Through Visit Ukraine, you can do this online to avoid the risk of being denied at the border. A qualified specialist will help you understand your specific situation and prepare all the necessary documents for departure.

What documents are required to cross the border and leave Ukraine?

To successfully cross the border in 2025, you must have a number of documents with you. The basic list includes:

1. A biometric foreign passport or a regular foreign passport + visa (if the destination country requires a visa). You can check the entry rules for a specific country on the Visit Ukraine homepage in the ‘From Ukraine’ section by selecting the desired destination in the search.

2. Documents confirming the right to leave (for men of conscription age).

3. Confirmation of the purpose of the trip (may be requested upon entry into another country). This can be an invitation, hotel reservation, tickets, etc.

4. Insurance policy. Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for entry into many countries and is also your guarantee of safety in case of unforeseen situations. Get Visit Ukraine insurance online quickly and easily.

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Border crossing rules for certain categories of citizens

Men travelling abroad

During martial law in Ukraine, men aged 18 to 60 are restricted from travelling abroad, but some categories are still allowed to do so if they have the appropriate documents and grounds. This applies to men with disabilities of groups I, II, and III or those whom the Military Medical Commission has recognised as unfit for military service and excluded from military registration. Parents with many children, men who are raising children on their own, or those whose close relatives have died or gone missing during the war may also leave. Men over 60, employees with reservations (on business trips or vacation), as well as military personnel for treatment, rehabilitation or training are allowed to leave. Certain categories of drivers transporting humanitarian and medical cargo, as well as officials, diplomats, sailors and athletes from national teams, are also eligible to leave. Importantly, students aged 18 to 22 participating in academic mobility programmes may also cross the border.

For more information on how to leave Ukraine for men who are eligible for deferment, see our full guide.

Crossing the border with a child

Given the current border crossing rules, travelling with a child requires special attention to documents. To take a child abroad, you must have their birth certificate. If the parents are divorced, a court decision determining the child's place of residence with one of the parents or a maintenance agreement may be required. It is important to note that children aged 16 and over can travel abroad unaccompanied by adults if they have a valid foreign passport. If a child has internally displaced person status or their parents are in a temporarily occupied territory, special rules may apply, which should be clarified with the State Border Service of Ukraine before travelling.

All details about crossing the Ukrainian border with a child can be found here.

Crossing the border with an animal

Crossing the border with a pet requires advance and careful preparation, as the requirements for animals are quite strict. The main steps to ensure a smooth journey for your four-legged friend include: microchipping the animal with an ISO-compliant microchip (this is usually done before vaccination). The next mandatory step is vaccination against rabies, which must be carried out no earlier than 12 weeks of age and is considered valid only 21 days after administration (for the first vaccination). An international veterinary passport of the European model is also required, where all vaccinations and treatments are recorded. To enter many EU countries, a rabies antibody test (titration) may be required to show that the animal has sufficient immunity. This must be done no earlier than 30 days after vaccination and no later than 90 days before obtaining a veterinary certificate. Usually, a few days before departure, you need to obtain a veterinary certificate form No. 1 from a state veterinary clinic, which is then exchanged at the border for an international veterinary certificate. It is also recommended to have a certificate stating that the animal is not of breeding value, although this is not mandatory but may be requested at the border. It is important to remember that countries may have their own additional requirements, so before planning your trip, you should familiarise yourself with the veterinary regulations of your destination country and all transit countries by contacting their consulates or visiting the official websites of veterinary services.

For more information about requirements for crossing the border with an animal and the necessary veterinary documents, please read our special article.

Travelling by car

When travelling by car, in addition to the standard documents for the car (vehicle registration certificate (technical passport); Ukrainian identification mark (UA); state number plate), remember that the green card for Ukraine is a mandatory international civil liability insurance policy.

Important! When travelling to Romania and Moldova, your car must undergo a mandatory technical inspection. For more information about border documents for cars and travel details, please read here.

What else should you consider before leaving Ukraine?

Before leaving Ukraine in 2025, we recommend that you pay attention to the following points:

1. Check the validity of your foreign passport.

2. Count the visa-free days: If you are not leaving for the first time in the last 180 days to countries with a visa-free regime, make sure that you have not exceeded the permitted period of stay.

2. Check customs regulations: Familiarise yourself with the list of goods that are prohibited from being transported across the border, as well as restrictions on the import/export of currency.

3. Make sure that your window tinting is permitted (if you are travelling by car).

4. Medical and travel insurance: Although medical insurance may not always be mandatory for Ukrainian citizens to enter the country, it will provide you with financial protection in case of unforeseen medical expenses abroad.

Reminder! We previously reported that the EU is introducing new rules for hand luggage on flights.

Photo: Freepik

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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;

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