Free vacation for children of war: who is entitled to a voucher and how to apply for it
The full-scale war has changed the daily lives of thousands of Ukrainian families, so for children of military personnel, displaced persons, families of fallen defenders, orphans and those living in the combat zone, the issue of rest has long gone beyond the usual seasonal trip. For some of these children, the state pays for their health care, and parents or legal representatives need to go through a certain procedure, submit documents and choose an institution from the list of those working under the appropriate program.
Which children can receive free rest
Children aged 7 to 18 who need to restore their physical and mental condition have the right to free health care and rest in 2026, if they belong to certain categories or are raised in families for which such support is provided by the state. This list includes children of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Border Service, the National Guard, police officers, as well as ordinary and commanding personnel of the State Emergency Service.
Seperately, children of internally displaced persons, children of fallen or deceased defenders, as well as children of combatants are entitled to such a service. The program includes orphans, children deprived of parental care, and children living in settlements on the contact line. For families whose lives have been subject to evacuations, service, losses, or living in dangerous areas for a long time, such a trip becomes a way to give the child a few weeks of a calmer environment and recovery.
Where to contact parents or representatives
The application process begins with an application to the structural unit that organizes the provision of health and recreation services. One of the parents or the child’s legal representative can submit documents. You need to apply to the district state administration, and in Kyiv – to the district or military administration, or to the executive body of the city, district in the city, settlement or village council, if such a body has been created.
The procedure for applying depends on the family’s place of residence. For most applicants, the rule of submitting documents at the place of official registration applies. For internally displaced persons, a different approach is used, so applications are accepted at the actual place of residence. Such a link is important, since it is through the relevant local authority that the entire procedure for checking documents and issuing a certificate is launched.
What documents need to be prepared
To issue a permit, it is necessary to submit a package of documents, which must include copies of the passport of a citizen of Ukraine, the child’s birth certificate or an extract from the State Register of Civil Status Acts, as well as a document confirming the authority of the legal representative if more than one parent is applying. In addition, it is necessary to attach a document confirming the status of the child or his or her parents. Depending on the circumstances, this may be a military ID, a certificate of a combatant, an internally displaced person’s certificate or another document confirming belonging to the appropriate category.
All copies must be duly certified, or they must be submitted together with the originals for verification. For parents and guardians, accuracy is important here, since an error in one document or the lack of confirmation of status can delay the consideration of the application. Given that registration often occurs after moving, losing part of the archive or changing the place of residence, it is worth starting the preparation of a package of documents in advance.
How long does the check last and what document is issued after the application
After submitting the documents, the authorized body checks them within three working days. If the grounds are confirmed, the applicant is issued a certificate that gives the right to use health and recreation services. This certificate is valid for three months from the date of issue, so you should proceed to the next stage without delay – choosing an institution.
The three-month period is of practical importance for families planning a trip during the holidays or during a short period between study, treatment or change of place of residence. If the certificate becomes invalid, the procedure will have to be repeated, so after receiving it, it is advisable to immediately check the availability of places in institutions that operate under the program.
How to choose a facility for recreation and recreation
After receiving the certificate, one of the parents or the child’s representative must independently choose an institution that has entered into an agreement with the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities. The choice is limited to those institutions that officially operate within the framework of this program, so before applying, you need to check whether a specific institution is included in the relevant list.
To clarify the conditions of entry, availability of places and receipt of documents, you can contact the institution, in particular, by e-mail. After that, you need to send copies of the passport of a citizen of Ukraine, a document certifying the child’s identity, as well as a certificate issued by the structural unit. At this stage, the institution confirms the possibility of accepting the child for rest or recreation during the specified period.
What you need to have on the day of arrival
On the day of arrival, parents or representatives must present the original documents, copies of which were submitted earlier. Separately, it is necessary to provide the child’s medical certificate in form No. 79/o, since admission to the institution is impossible without it. After checking the documents, an agreement is concluded on the provision of health and recreation services.
This stage completes the registration procedure that the family goes through from the first application to the actual start of the trip. For children whose childhood was spent in conditions of war, forced relocation, loss of a safe environment or prolonged separation from one of the parents due to service, this organizational part is of particular importance, since any delay with the documents may deprive them of the opportunity to leave at the planned time.
How often can you use the program
Free health and recreation is provided once a year. This opportunity can be used provided that the child has not yet received a voucher from the authorized bodies during the current year. This requirement applies to all participants in the program, regardless of the category to which the child belongs.
When registering, parents should take this condition into account in advance, especially if the child has already participated in another state recreation or health program. Such a check makes it possible to avoid a situation in which documents have been submitted, a certificate has been received, but later it turns out that the right to another voucher within the year has already been used.
Who pays for the child’s vacation
The costs of the child’s stay in the institution are covered by state funds. Parents do not pay for the voucher, since the institution’s funds are transferred by the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities. For families living in conditions of constant military expenses, moving, treatment, renting housing or loss of income, this is one of the key conditions for the program’s accessibility.
In this procedure, the state assumes the payment for the service itself, and parents or legal representatives are required to correctly complete the administrative procedure, confirm the child’s status, and submit all necessary documents on time. For children of war who need rest, a safer space, and a change of environment, this program remains one of the few real support mechanisms that can be obtained through a clearly defined procedure.
