How to enter Ukraine in a foreign car as a Ukrainian citizen: what you need to know in 2025?

Are you planning to enter Ukraine by car with foreign registration? In 2025, there will be both simplifications and important restrictions for Ukrainians, depending on your status and documents. Find out more about how Ukrainians can enter Ukraine in a foreign car, as well as the terms of stay, fines and insurance

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After a long stay abroad, many Ukrainians want to return home — to visit relatives, settle matters, or simply spend time in their homeland. However, often the only available vehicle is one with foreign registration. What should you do in such a situation to ensure that entering Ukraine does not result in fines and problems at customs?

In this article, we explain whether a Ukrainian citizen can enter the country in a car with foreign number plates, what documents need to be prepared, how long you can stay in Ukraine in such a car, what restrictions apply and what to do after crossing the border.

For more information about the rules for entering Ukraine in a car with foreign number plates in 2025, follow the link.

Entering Ukraine in a foreign car: current rules for Ukrainians

Ukrainian citizens have the right to enter the country in a car with foreign registration. This is possible regardless of whether the car belongs to you personally, is rented, or you are driving on behalf of someone else. However, the conditions depend on your status and the type of vehicle.

For example, if a Ukrainian citizen is permanently registered with a consulate in another country, they can import a car without paying customs duties. However, this is only permitted for a limited period of up to 60 days per year.

If you are not registered with the consulate, then, according to the rules of temporary importation, you have the right to enter the country in a foreign car, but you must pay all taxes: customs duties, excise tax and VAT, even if you plan to return in a few weeks.

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 required to enter Ukraine by car with foreign number plates?

– Ukrainian passport or ID card.

– Driving licence (national or international).

– Vehicle registration certificate.

– Compulsory insurance policy “Green Card”.

– Notarised power of attorney (if the car is not yours).

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

Documents required to cross the Ukrainian border in a rented car with foreign number plates

There are cases when a Ukrainian citizen enters the country in a rented car or in a relative's car. This is possible, but you must have a general power of attorney allowing you to take the car outside the country of its registration. In some countries, such as Poland or Germany, even for temporary departure from the country, the owner must provide special permission, so it is worth checking the local rules in advance.

At the checkpoint, border guards will check not only your documents, but also the car documents.

For more information about entering Ukraine in a foreign rented car, read here.

What to do after crossing the Ukrainian border?

After crossing the border, your actions depend on the length of your stay. If you plan to stay in Ukraine for more than 30 days, even with a foreign car, you must register temporarily at the Ministry of Internal Affairs service centre. Without this, the car will be considered to be in the country in violation of the temporary import regime.

What cannot be imported into Ukraine — find out at the link.

How long can a Ukrainian stay in Ukraine with a car with European number plates?

The maximum period of temporary importation for residents of Ukraine is one year. However, even in this case, the car is subject to all taxes applicable to imports.

You can import a car without paying customs duties only under special conditions, in particular, if you are permanently registered with a consulate abroad and for a period not exceeding 60 days.

Entry in a car belonging to a non-resident company is possible for a short period — up to 10 days. In exceptional cases, customs may extend this period to 60 days if there are documentary grounds (e.g., performance of official duties or technical necessity).

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Foreign-registered cars in Ukraine: what are the restrictions for owners and users?

It is important to remember that transferring a car to another person who did not import it is a violation of customs legislation and may result in serious fines of up to 42,000 hryvnia.

In addition, penalties are also provided for exceeding the transit or temporary importation periods. If you exceed the departure deadline by more than 10 days, you will have to pay a fine of more than 10,000 hryvnias.

Another nuance is that even if you are not the owner of the car but have a power of attorney, you will be responsible for complying with the terms and conditions of the vehicle's stay in Ukraine.

How to extend the permit for temporary import of a car to Ukraine?

If you want to stay longer or for some reason cannot take your car out of the country on time, you need to contact customs, explain the situation and submit a request to extend the temporary import period. This option is available, but only in special cases — for example, if the driver is ill, there has been an accident, the vehicle has broken down, or other force majeure circumstances that must be confirmed by documents.

If you decide to leave your car in Ukraine permanently, you will need to go through the full customs clearance procedure. This includes submitting a customs declaration, paying all taxes and registering the car in Ukraine. Only then will the car be considered legally imported and can be used freely in 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!

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.

Photo: lviv-rda.gov.ua

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