Airspace and routes of entry to Ukraine

This page is for Turkish citizens planning how to reach Ukraine. Civilian airports in Ukraine have been closed since 2022. Below you will find the status of the airspace, entry routes through neighboring countries, visa requirements of transit countries, and preparations before travel.

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye announced that Ukrainian airspace was closed on February 24, 2022.
• There are 29 border crossing points registered for air travel in Ukraine (28 border crossing points and 1 checkpoint).
• On the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service's (Державна прикордонна служба України, ДПСУ) map of operating border crossing points, all 27 listed airport crossing points are marked "closed" (October 17, 2026). Kyiv-Boryspil, Kyiv-Zhuliany, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Dnipro airports are also on this list.
• Before buying a plane ticket, check the status of the airspace on this map and in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' announcements.

• Entry is through road, railway, river, and ferry crossing points in neighboring countries.
• According to the Border Guard Service map, the numbers of operating crossing points on October 17, 2026, were:
  • Polish border: 18
  • Slovak border: 9
  • Hungarian border: 9
  • Romanian border: 9 (one ferry crossing)
  • Moldovan border: 38 (road, railway, and river)
• Main operating road crossing points:
  • Poland: Krakovets–Korczowa, Shehyni–Medyka, Rava-Ruska–Hrebenne, Yahodyn–Dorohusk, Ustyluh–Zosin
  • Slovakia: Uzhhorod–Vyšné Nemecké
  • Hungary: Chop (Tysa)–Záhony, Luzhanka–Beregsurány, Vylok–Tiszabecs
  • Romania: Porubne–Siret, Solotvyno–Sighetu Marmației, Diakove–Halmeu; Orlivka–Isaccea ferry
  • Moldova: Mayaky-Udobne–Palanca, Reni–Giurgiulești, Mohyliv-Podilskyi–Otaci
• Examples of operating railway crossing points include Mostyska–Przemyśl and Yahodyn–Dorohusk (Poland), Chop–Čierna nad Tisou (Slovakia), Chop–Záhony (Hungary), Vadul-Siret–Vicșani (Romania), and Mohyliv-Podilskyi–Volcineț (Moldova).
• The map shows the type of each crossing point (vehicle, railway, pedestrian, or ferry) and its congestion level.
• A border crossing point may be closed or temporarily closed by a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Check the crossing point you will use on the map before setting out.

• To reach Ukraine, you first enter a neighboring country. The visa rules of these countries differ from those of Ukraine:
  • Moldova: 90 days visa-free with an ordinary passport.
  • Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania: holders of ordinary passports require a visa. All four countries are in the Schengen Area.
  • The rules for diplomatic, special, and service passport holders differ. See the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa page.
• When using a Schengen visa for the first time, you must enter the country that issued the visa. Obtain your visa from the representation of the country you will enter first.
• Schengen countries do not accept visa applications made with passports issued more than 10 years ago.
• If you travel through Poland and return by the same route, you will enter the Schengen Area twice. Pay attention to the number of entries permitted by your visa.

• As of October 12, 2025, the European Union began gradually implementing its new entry-exit system (Entry/Exit System, EES) at its external borders.
• The system is being applied at the external Schengen borders, including crossing points on the Ukrainian borders of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
• On your first entry into the Schengen Area, a facial photograph and four fingerprints are taken.
• No stamp is placed in the passport. The date, time, and place of entry and exit are recorded electronically.
• During subsequent crossings, checks are carried out more quickly using the recorded data.

• According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, visa-free entry to Ukraine with a new-type (chip-enabled) identity card is possible provided that you travel from Türkiye.
• As airports are closed, it is currently not possible to reach Ukraine directly from Türkiye; the journey is made through a third country.
• A passport and visa are required to enter Schengen countries.
• For these reasons, bring your passport when traveling to Ukraine. For the rules on entry with an identity card, see U1.1.

• On the Border Guard Service's map, almost all crossing points on the borders with Russia and Belarus are marked "closed".
• If you live in Russia, you can travel to Ukraine through a third country. Do not plan a direct crossing from Russia.
• Under Ukrainian law, visa-free foreigners may be present in Crimea only if they entered through Ukraine's operating border crossing points. Otherwise, a fine, detention, or refusal of entry on subsequent visits may result (see U1.4).

• Check on the map that the border crossing point you intend to use is open.
• Obtain the transit country's visa in good time.
• Upon entering Ukraine, you must be able to demonstrate the purpose of your trip and sufficient financial means (see U1.1).
• Check that your health insurance covers Ukraine and the transit countries (see U1.3).
• Leave a copy of your passport, the address where you will stay, and copies of your tickets with your family.
• Write down the emergency numbers of the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Türkiye (see U0.4).
• Carry sufficient cash in foreign currency. For Ukraine's customs rules on cash, see U1.4.

• State Border Guard Service of Ukraine — border crossing points and crossing rules
  • Hotline: 1598
  • Web: dpsu.gov.ua
• Embassy of Ukraine in Ankara, Consular Section — entry and visa information
  • Address: Sancak Mahallesi 512. Sokak No: 17, Çankaya, 06550 Ankara
  • Telephone: +90 312 442 16 58 (weekdays 09:00–13:00 and 14:00–17:00)
  • Email: consul_tr@mfa.gov.ua
• Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Kyiv emergency line: +380 63 211 47 65
• Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Odesa emergency lines: +380 93 711 00 24, +380 93 711 00 26
• Consular Call Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye (24/7): +90 312 292 29 29
• For a transit country's visa, apply to that country's representation in Türkiye.

• Searching for a plane ticket to Ukraine. Airport border crossing points are closed.
• Setting out through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, or Romania without obtaining a Schengen visa.
• Traveling with only an identity card. You also need a passport for the transit country.
• Going to a closed border crossing point. Check the map before setting out.
• Traveling with a single-entry Schengen visa and trying to return through the same country.
• Planning entry through Russia or Belarus.

• Are there flights from Istanbul to Kyiv? No. All airport border crossing points in Ukraine are closed.
• Which neighboring country can I enter without a visa? Moldova is the neighboring country you can enter visa-free for 90 days with an ordinary passport. A Schengen visa is required for Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
• Can I enter by train? Yes. There are operating railway crossing points on the borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. Border control is carried out in the carriage (see U1.4).
• Can I enter in my own car? Yes, through road crossing points. For the rules on driving with a Turkish driving licence, see U7.4.
• Where can I find out whether the airspace has opened? On the Border Guard Service's map and in the announcements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye.

• State Border Guard Service of Ukraine – Map of operating border crossing points
• Border Guard Service – List of border crossing points
• Border Guard Service – Electronic queue (єЧерга) instructions
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye – Visa procedures applicable to Turkish citizens
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye – Travel announcements abroad
• Border Guard Service – EU Entry/Exit System EES