Border crossing points with Poland: queues, rules, how to get there

From Polissia, you can leave for Poland via Volyn: the Ustyluh – Zosyn and Yahodyn – Dorohusk road border checkpoints and the Yahodyn railway checkpoint, through which trains run to Chełm. Below is a brief overview of who can cross the border and with what. The queues at the top of the page are updated by a robot: the Ukrainian side is based on the map of the State Border Guard Service, and the Polish side is based on data from Straż Graniczna.

Passenger cars are currently suited only for Ustyluh – Zosyn. Since June 27, 2022, Yahodyn – Dorohusk has only allowed trucks over 7.5 tonnes and scheduled buses to pass. By train via Yahodyn, people travel to Chełm, with a further transfer to Polish trains to Lublin and Warsaw.

Documents for Departure

• Biometric international passport. Without a visa, Ukrainian citizens may stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
• Men aged 18–60 during martial law may leave only under specific exceptions (for example, deferment, unfitness determined by a military medical commission, having three or more children). Bring supporting documents with you; the full list is available on the website of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
• Men under 23 years of age may leave freely starting August 28, 2025 (Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1030), but with a passport and military registration document. An electronic one in the Reserve+ app is also acceptable.
• A military registration document is required for all men aged 18–60.

If Travelling with Children

A child under 16 years of age may travel with one parent without the notarized consent of the other. The same applies to travelling with a grandmother, grandfather, adult brother or sister, stepfather, or stepmother (with documents proving family ties). With other persons, a statement from one parent certified by a guardianship authority or notarized consents from both parents are required. Bring the child's international passport, birth certificate, and, if available, ID card.

Biometrics at the EU Border

Starting April 10, 2026, the EES entry and exit system operates in all Schengen countries: there are no more stamps in the passport; instead, during the first crossing, faces are photographed and fingerprints are scanned. The system was launched at Ustyluh as early as November 5, 2025. The first processing takes longer — allocate time for it. The European Union promises to introduce the ETIAS authorization in the last quarter of 2026; there is no exact date yet.

Temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU has been extended until March 4, 2028.

What Can Be Carried to Poland

• Cigarettes — 40 pieces (or 20 cigarillos, 10 cigars, 50 g of tobacco): a reduced limit applies in Poland for those travelling by land.
• Alcohol — 1 L of spirits, 4 L of still wine, and 16 L of beer per adult. Alcohol and tobacco are prohibited under 17 years of age.
• Other personal items — up to the value of 300 euros.
• Cash starting from 10,000 euros per person must be declared.
• Meat, sausage, lard, milk, cheese, and other dairy products are prohibited from being imported into the EU — they will be confiscated. Baby food up to 2 kg and, for example, honey up to 2 kg are allowed.

What Can Be Brought into Ukraine

By car or train duty-free — personal purchases up to 500 euros and up to 50 kg per person. More than that — declare in the red corridor and pay customs duty and VAT. Cash up to 10,000 euros does not need to be declared in writing.

If Travelling by Your Own Car

• Vehicle registration certificate (original) and driver's license.
• Green card — insurance policy for the EU, paper or electronic. Without it, there is a fine in Poland.
• Travelling in a car that is not yours — a notarized power of attorney from the owner; for a leased car — written consent from the lessor.
• Arrange the green card in advance rather than at the border: check the date from which it becomes effective.

Road Rules in Poland

• Drink driving: no more than 0.2 per mille. Between 0.2 and 0.5 means a fine, and over 0.5 is already a criminal offence.
• Cars must be equipped with a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle.
• From Ustyluh or Dorohusk to Lublin and Warsaw (roads S12, S17), passenger cars pay nothing. Only certain sections of the A1, A2, and A4 motorways further west in the country are toll roads.
• Trucks and buses over 3.5 tonnes pay for roads via the e-TOLL system.
• Clean transport zones operate in Warsaw and Kraków: before driving there, check the city website to see if your car is allowed and whether it needs to be registered.

With a dog or cat

The animal needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination (administered after microchipping, at least 21 days before the trip), a rabies antibody blood test, and an EU veterinary certificate issued no earlier than 10 days before entry. Up to five animals are allowed at a time. The test is performed no earlier than 30 days after vaccination, and travel is permitted 3 months after the analysis — prepare in advance.

Communication and money

• From 1 January 2026, Ukraine is in the EU "Roam Like at Home" zone: a Ukrainian SIM card works in Poland at domestic rates, so a Polish SIM card is rarely needed.
• Prepaid Polish SIM cards are sold only with passport registration.
• The zloty exchange rate can be found on the page of each location. Exchange offices near the border usually offer a worse rate; it is more convenient to pay by card.

Queues and electronic queue

Trucks and scheduled buses cross the border only by booking in the eCherha system. Passenger cars wait in a live queue. During an air raid alert, processing is suspended and queues grow rapidly — plan your trip with extra time in reserve.

If something happens

• Emergency assistance in Poland and Ukraine: 112.
• State Border Guard Service hotline: 1598 (free from Ukrainian numbers), from abroad: +38 044 527-63-63.
• The Consulate of Ukraine in Poland closest to the border is the Consulate General in Lublin.

How to get to the border

It is convenient to travel to Ustyluh and Yahodyn via Volodymyr, Lutsk, and Kovel — the schedules of Volyn bus stations are available in the "Bus Schedules" section. Trains to Chełm run through Kovel and Yahodyn.

Border with Belarus

All Polissia border crossing points on the border with Belarus and Russia have been closed since 24 February 2022 — the list is above in the collapsed block.