Ukraine Entry Guide for New Zealand Citizens 2026

Entry Rules for New Zealand Citizens (2026)

New Zealand citizens can enter Ukraine visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, private visits, business meetings, and other short stays that do not require a long-stay visa.

You must enter with a valid New Zealand passport. A national ID card is not accepted for border crossing.

Ukraine remains under martial law in many areas, which can affect curfews, checkpoints, and travel logistics. Plan routes in advance and keep your documents accessible.

COVID-19: Ukraine has no COVID-related entry restrictions in 2026.

Required Documents

Border officers may ask you to show supporting documents. Prepare both printed copies and offline phone copies.

• Passport (recommended: valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from Ukraine).
• Travel medical insurance valid for Ukraine (mandatory).
• Proof of purpose of travel (one or more): hotel booking, rental agreement, invitation letter from a host, tour voucher, medical appointment documents, or onward tickets for transit.
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay (cash, bank cards, bank statement, paid accommodation, or a host’s guarantee letter).
• No active entry ban (checked by the border service).

How much money may be required? The minimum can be calculated using the official formula: FO = ((20 × Pm) ÷ 30) × (Kd + 5), where Pm is the 2026 subsistence minimum (3,209 UAH) and Kd is the number of days in Ukraine. Example: for a 30-day stay, the minimum is 24,344 UAH.

Travel Insurance

Medical insurance is mandatory for foreign nationals entering Ukraine in 2026, including New Zealand citizens. Choose a policy that clearly states coverage in Ukraine and keep the certificate available for border control.

Recommended coverage includes:

• Outpatient and inpatient treatment
• Emergency care and ambulance services
• Repatriation (medical evacuation/return home)
• Coverage for war-related risks where available (many standard policies exclude these)

If you want a policy tailored for Ukraine travel, you can arrange it online in advance via insurance-ukraine.com.

Driving insurance: If you enter Ukraine with your own vehicle, you must have mandatory third-party liability insurance valid in Ukraine (often purchased at/near the border if not arranged beforehand).

Safety

Practical safety steps for travel in Ukraine in 2026:

• Check the curfew rules for each region/city you plan to visit and avoid travel during restricted hours.
• Install the Air Alarm app for real-time air-raid alerts and follow local instructions.
• Expect checkpoints on roads and at city entrances; keep your passport and insurance details easy to access.
• Do not photograph or record military personnel, equipment, checkpoints, or air defence.
• Save emergency numbers and your embassy contact details.

Emergency number: 112 (single number for emergency services). Also used: 101 fire, 102 police, 103 ambulance, 104 gas emergency.

Customs (Import/Export Rules)

Green corridor is for goods that do not require written declaration and are within duty-free limits. Red corridor is for items that must be declared (permits, higher-value goods, certain medicines, cultural items, large amounts of cash, etc.).

Common duty-free import limits (by land/road travel):

• Personal belongings
• Goods up to EUR 500 total value and up to 50 kg
• Food for personal use (not for sale) up to EUR 200
• Cash up to EUR 10,000 (or equivalent) without declaration; above this, declare and be ready to show bank withdrawal proof
• Medicines (non-narcotic/non-psychotropic): generally up to 5 packages of each medicine per person

Prohibited to import:

• Narcotic/psychotropic substances
• Explosives and toxic substances
• Food products without required certification (when applicable)
• Materials promoting violence, racism, war, or pornography
• Unidentified animals
• Wanted cultural property
• Weapons (including gas/spray weapons) without the required Ukrainian permits

Export rules (key points): You can usually export goods with a total value under EUR 10,000 without written declaration. Items restricted by Ukrainian law (for example, certain cultural valuables) may require permits and declaration even below this threshold. Goods over EUR 10,000 must be declared.

Prohibited/restricted exports (examples): weapons and ammunition, narcotics/psychotropics, explosives/poisons, certain cultural and historical valuables without permission, and some food/animal products in restricted quantities.

Driving in Ukraine

Ukraine drives on the right-hand side of the road.

Speed limits (general):

• Residential/pedestrian zones: 20 km/h
• In towns/cities: 50 km/h
• Outside settlements: 90 km/h
• Divided roads outside settlements: 110 km/h
• Motorways: 130 km/h

Documents to carry: driver’s licence, vehicle registration, and valid motor third-party liability insurance.

Foreign-plated vehicles: Foreign nationals may generally drive a foreign-registered vehicle in Ukraine for up to 1 year for personal use. If you plan to stay longer than 2 months, you may need to arrange temporary registration through a Ministry of Internal Affairs service centre. After one year, the vehicle must leave Ukraine.

Child safety: Children under 12 must use appropriate child restraints; transporting a child in the front seat without a child seat is prohibited. Children over 12 must wear seat belts.

Checkpoints (driver tips): slow down, prepare documents, follow instructions, keep hands visible, and do not film. You may be asked to open the trunk and allow inspection of the vehicle and luggage.