Basic vehicle documentation package: what you need to have and how to drive someone else's car
The first thing that should be in the glove compartment is an international-standard plastic driver's license and a physical vehicle registration certificate (technical passport). Digital documents from the Diia application have no legal force outside of Ukraine; border guards accept only physical plastic cards.
Car sharing via the Diia app works exclusively within the country and is not recognized at the border. If you plan to cross the border in a car belonging to a relative, colleague, or friend, you need one of the following two documents:
- A temporary registration permit, which is issued at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Service Center upon the owner's request. The original registration certificate remains in the center's archives for safe keeping, and the driver receives a plastic card in their own name.
- A notarized power of attorney with a mandatory note regarding permission to travel abroad. If the owner is outside of Ukraine, the power of attorney can be processed through a Ukrainian embassy or consulate.
Within 10 days of returning, the temporary certificate must be returned to the service center; otherwise, the owner's original registration certificate will be considered invalid.
Do not forget about the UA sticker on the body and standard state license plates. Individual license plates are not suitable for international travel.
Third-party liability insurance (OSCPV) before departure: why it is important to check it before crossing the border
Most drivers focus on the Green Card for Europe and forget about their domestic auto insurance. Meanwhile, your route from home to the checkpoint consists of Ukrainian roads where all OSCPV rules apply.
Patrol police and automatic enforcement cameras instantly check for a valid insurance policy in the MTIBU database. If your contract has expired, you will have to pay a fine before you even see the barrier at the border.
If your domestic contract ends while you are abroad, you automatically become an offender the moment you cross the border back into Ukraine. Under Law No. 3720-IX in 2026, free pricing is in effect, and deductibles in new auto insurance contracts have been abolished; victims receive full compensation without additional payments. There are plenty of companies on the market, and each offers an individual rate depending on the driver's experience, region, and accident history.
Before packing your bags, open your electronic account and check the expiration date of your insurance policy. Car owners often find out about the expiration while already on the road, which is the worst-case scenario.
If the term is coming to an end, update your coverage in advance to avoid penalties on the way to the border or immediately upon return. Comparing offers from different companies is convenient via the aggregator https://easypay.ua/ua/catalog/avto-insurance/kupit-avtotsivilka. Registration takes a few minutes, and the finished electronic contract immediately appears in the Diia app. There is no need to travel to an insurer's office; most drivers buy their auto insurance online today. You can check if the new policy is active in the centralized MTIBU database using your license plate number.
Green Card in 2026: new rules, prices, and processing times
The international Green Card certificate has completely moved to a digital format. Since 2025, all member countries of the system are required to accept the electronic version, so it is enough to have a PDF file on your smartphone; State Border Guard Service officers and EU police scan the QR code from the screen. At the same time, the MTIBU recommends printing the certificate on an A4 sheet to avoid misunderstandings with the authorities of certain countries.
Rates for international insurance for a passenger car with 'All system' coverage start from 959 UAH for 15 days and from 1,622 UAH for one month. Unlike domestic OSCPV, the cost of the Green Card is uniform for all companies; it is set by the MTIBU in euros, and the final amount in hryvnias changes only depending on the official exchange rate. Since prices are identical, you should choose an insurer based on customer service quality, mobile app convenience, and the speed of support provided abroad.
The certificate comes into effect no earlier than the day after payment, so buying it at the last minute is a risky strategy. It is optimal to obtain a Green Card two or three days before departure. You can check its validity in the Motor Bureau's centralized database.
EES biometric control at EU borders: what has changed since April 2026
On April 10, 2026, the Entry/Exit System (EES) became operational at all external borders of the 29 Schengen zone countries. Instead of standard passport stamps, digital registration with biometrics is now used.
During the first entry, every traveler has their face scanned and fingerprints taken. On subsequent crossings, only a photo or fingerprints are needed; full registration does not need to be repeated. Terminals and special equipment for recording data have been installed at checkpoints in Poland, Hungary, and Romania.
In the first weeks of full operation, land crossings and airports faced noticeable queues, with wait times reaching up to two hours in certain locations during peak periods.
For drivers heading to the EU by car, here are a few practical tips:
- Allow at least an extra hour for border control, especially at the Krakovets, Shehyni, and Uzhhorod crossings.
- A biometric international passport speeds up digital verification; keep it with you.
- The Travel to Europe app will allow you to upload some data in advance once it is launched.
The EES system automatically counts the days each traveler spends in the Schengen zone, so the 90/180 rule is monitored without the need for border guard intervention. Any overstay is recorded instantly and may lead to a denial of future entry.