A Spanish citizen can enter Ukraine without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with a valid passport and a medical insurance policy issued by a Ukrainian-licensed insurer. Those three things are what the State Border Guard checks; everything else is advisable but not mandatory.
Do Spanish citizens need a visa to enter Ukraine?
No. Spain is part of the European Union and Ukraine has maintained a visa-free regime for EU citizens since 2005. The maximum stay is 90 days in any 180-day period. It is counted the same way as in Schengen: look back over the last 180 days from the date of entry.
The war has not changed this rule. What has changed is how you get there (there are no flights) and the attention the State Border Guard pays to your insurance and the purpose of your trip.
What documents are required at the Ukrainian border?
| Document | Mandatory | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Yes | Valid for the whole stay. The Spanish DNI identity card does not work: Ukraine is not in the EU or in Schengen. |
| Medical insurance | Yes | From an insurer licensed in Ukraine, valid for the whole period of stay. Article 7 of Ukraine's Insurance Law. Buy it here. |
| Proof of funds | May be requested | The rules set an indicative minimum of around 20 Ukrainian minimum monthly wages per month of stay. In practice, a credit card and some cash are usually enough. |
| Purpose of the trip | May be asked | An invitation from relatives, a letter from the NGO, a contract or a hotel booking. Not a formal requirement, but it speeds up the check. |
| Return ticket | No | Not requested. Travelling overland, it makes no sense. |
Why is the insurance so important, and which one counts?
The insurance is the only document, apart from the passport, that the State Border Guard checks in every case. Ukrainian law requires it to be issued by an insurer licensed by the National Bank of Ukraine and to cover medical expenses in the country's territory for the whole stay.
That rules out every policy bought in Spain, the European Health Insurance Card and the insurance that comes with bank cards. We explain why in this guide.
What about dual nationality?
If you hold both Ukrainian and Spanish passports, the State Border Guard treats you as a Ukrainian citizen when you enter on the Ukrainian passport, and does not ask for insurance. If you enter on the Spanish one, the rules for foreigners apply. Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 who enter on the Ukrainian passport are subject to the exit restrictions of martial law; on the Spanish passport they are not, but they should bear in mind that the authorities may recognise their Ukrainian nationality if it appears in their records.
Can I enter with children?
Yes. Each child needs their own passport and their own insurance cover (they can be on the same policy as the adults). If a child travels with only one parent, carry an authorisation from the other parent signed before a notary or at a police station; the Ukrainian border rarely asks foreigners for it, but the Spanish Guardia Civil may ask for it on departure.
How long can I stay, and how do I extend it?
90 days. To stay longer you must apply for a temporary residence permit from the State Migration Service (ДМС), on recognised grounds: work, study, volunteering with a registered organisation or family reunification. The procedure is started inside Ukraine and requires valid insurance throughout the process.
Overstaying the 90 days without a permit carries an administrative fine and may lead to a 3-year entry ban.
What does the State Border Guard actually check?
- Scans the passport and runs the databases.
- Asks for the insurance. Looks at the name, the dates and the insurer. On a phone screen is fine.
- May ask where you are going, for how many days and why.
- Stamps the passport with the date of entry. The 90 days count from that stamp.
The check takes between 30 and 90 minutes by train and between 1 and 4 hours by car, depending on the crossing and the time of day. In the routes guide we explain which one to choose.