How can a foreigner enter Ukraine in a foreign car?

In 2025, more and more non-residents are choosing to travel to Ukraine in their own or rented car with foreign registration. Find out how to legally cross the border in 2025, what documents are needed, what customs rules apply, where to get car insurance, and how to take care of safety during your trip

Take out Mini Hull insurance at Visit Ukraine - guaranteed car protection in just 5 minutes!

BUY

Traveling to Ukraine in your own or rented car with a foreign registration is a completely legal and common way to cross the border in 2025. However, for a safe and legal entry into Ukraine by car, you need to know the current requirements of border and customs control, have all the necessary documents and arrange appropriate car insurance in Ukraine.

If you are planning a trip to Ukraine by a foreign car, this article contains current entry rules and much more useful information.

Is it allowed to enter Ukraine by car with a foreign registration?

Yes, entry into Ukraine by car with foreign license plates for non-residents is allowed. Crossing the border by car is possible both on your own and on a vehicle rented in another country.

The main requirement is compliance with customs regulations, availability of necessary documents and stay during the period of temporary import of the car.

To avoid unpleasant situations at the border, fines or delays due to incorrect paperwork, it is worth consulting with specialists in advance. Visit Ukraine's migration lawyers will help you navigate the nuances of customs and migration legislation and prepare all the necessary documents for smooth entry.

What documents are needed to enter Ukraine by car with foreign license plates?

To enter Ukraine, foreigners and stateless persons need to have a basic package of documents, as well as documents for a car:

1. A passport valid for the entire period of stay

Citizens of Turkey and Georgia can enter on the basis of an ID card.

2. A visa is required only for citizens of countries with which a visa-free regime does not apply

In general, representatives of most countries of the world, including citizens of the EU, Japan, Kuwait, the USA, the UK and Canada, have the right to visa-free travel for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. You can check whether you need a visa on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

3. Documents confirming the purpose of the trip

Tourist voucher, hotel and ticket reservation, tour, invitation to events or information about family ties.

4. Financial support

Cash, bank cards, checks, bank statements, a letter of guarantee from the host party or confirmation of paid tour and accommodation.

Customs rules for crossing the Ukrainian border in this article.

5. Medical insurance policy, it is better to choose insurance with war risk coverage.

6. International driver's license containing the expiration date (Annex 6 of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic).

7. Car registration certificate.

8. Compulsory third party liability insurance contract for vehicle owners covering the territory of Ukraine (Green Card).

How to get car insurance in Kyiv and any city in Ukraine for foreign cars - read here.

9. License plate on the car.

10. Notarized power of attorney (if the car is not yours).

Read more about entering Ukraine in a foreign rented car here.

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

Rules for the stay of a car with foreign registration in Ukraine

Customs legislation provides that any foreigner may import a vehicle permanently registered in another country into Ukraine for a period of up to 1 year.

No import duty or VAT is charged for this vehicle, since the vehicle must leave the territory of Ukraine within the year permitted by customs legislation.

The only condition of this law is that this temporarily imported vehicle must be operated in the presence of the person who imported it into the country (i.e. the person who drove it across the border must be behind the wheel or sitting as a passenger in the vehicle).

The Transport Service notes that a foreign vehicle temporarily used in Ukraine may be used with foreign license plates for up to two months, but after this period it must be registered with the Transport Service of Ukraine.

Car insurance for entry into Ukraine: take care of additional protection on the roads

Even if you have a Green Card, it only covers your liability to others. But what about your car? In the event of an accident, natural disaster or shelling, you will be left without compensation.

To avoid such risks, we recommend that you take out Mini Hull insurance from Visit Ukraine — car insurance that can be purchased even for cars with foreign registration.

Depending on the package you choose, this insurance covers the main risks: accidents (even if you are at fault), natural disasters, tow truck services, and damage caused by military operations. You choose the duration yourself — from a few days to several months. It's convenient, fast and affordable.

Get Mini Hull insurance online in a few minutes — and set off on your journey across Ukraine with confidence and peace of mind!

Recommendations for safe travel to Ukraine

To ensure a safe trip to Ukraine in 2025, follow these recommendations:

- Check official information. Read the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country regarding travel to Ukraine. Follow the messages on the websites of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and local authorities.

- Prepare your documents. Make sure that your passport is valid and the visa (if required) is correctly issued. Make copies of important documents (passport, insurance policy, visa) and save them in digital form.

- Be careful when planning your routes, your trip should take place exclusively on safe roads, away from combat zones.

- Take care of medical insurance for foreigners. Your policy should cover treatment in Ukraine, including possible emergencies, and it is also desirable to have additional coverage for risks associated with war.

- Watch for air alerts. Install the mobile application "Air Alert" (App Store | Google Play) and learn about the rules of conduct during shelling. In the event of an alarm, immediately go to the nearest shelter.

- Do not photograph military facilities. It is prohibited to photograph checkpoints, military equipment, positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other strategic facilities.

- Be prepared for checks. In wartime, law enforcement officers may check documents. Always have them with you.

- It is equally important to know your rights and obligations when temporarily importing a car, follow traffic rules, and avoid dangerous regions. If in doubt, consulting a migration lawyer will help you avoid violations and protect your interests.

- Follow the guide's instructions, especially in areas near destroyed facilities. If you visit thematic excursions, respect the memory of the dead.

Read about the current rules for staying in Ukraine and its safe cities at the link.

​​A trip to Ukraine by car requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Collecting documents in advance, checking information, and following local regulations will help you avoid any problems during your trip. In difficult situations, it is better to seek professional advice to feel confident and safe on the road.

Reminder! In wartime, the risks to property have increased, especially for car owners in Ukraine. Accidental drone attacks and other unpredictable situations can cause serious damage. In such cases, Mini Hull insurance provides reliable protection, allowing you to receive compensation for destroyed property. How car insurance works in Ukraine and why it is so important during wartime — 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.

© 2018-2025, 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.