Ukrainian citizens residing abroad can enter the territory of Ukraine in a car registered in Poland. However, to avoid customs procedures and additional costs, certain conditions must be met. Below is the essential information.
1. Proof of Ownership and Type of Vehicle
According to Article 380 of the Customs Code of Ukraine, entry into Ukraine with a vehicle on foreign license plates is allowed without paying customs duties if:
- the vehicle is registered to a Ukrainian citizen in a foreign country, and
- this person is listed in the consular register (temporary or permanent).
If entering Ukraine with a company vehicle (e.g., owned by an employer), the permitted stay is up to 10 days, provided that a prior customs declaration is submitted and a financial guarantee for possible duties is provided.
2. Consular Registration – A Key Requirement
A Ukrainian citizen can take advantage of simplified entry procedures if:
- they are registered with a consulate (e.g., at the Consulate of Ukraine in Poland), and
- have a confirmation of this registration.
Temporary consular registration can be obtained:
- in person or by post,
- for a period of 1 year (extendable up to 5 years),
- even with PESEL UKR status (based on a certificate from the mObywatel app and a copy of the PESEL number).
Consular fees:
- PLN 83 – when applying by post,
- PLN 166 – for in-person applications with expedited processing.
Processing time: 5–10 business days.
Having consular registration exempts you from having to pay a customs deposit at the border.
3. Green Card (Third-Party Liability Insurance)
Any vehicle entering Ukraine must have a valid Green Card, which confirms the presence of international third-party liability insurance.
It can be obtained from your insurance provider in Poland (often free of charge or for an additional fee of PLN 15–20). Note that if you buy a Green Card at the border, it only becomes valid 24 hours later.