The question of the departure of men with many children abroad in 2025 has become particularly relevant against the background of the long-term state of war in Ukraine. In the difficult conditions of mobilization and economic challenges, many families are faced with the need to resolve legal and bureaucratic issues related to the right to postponement and border crossing. Parents of many children, who play a key role in ensuring the welfare of their children, need a clear understanding of the procedures established by law. This issue affects not only the rights of individual citizens, but also broader aspects of social support for families, protection of children and ensuring equality before the law. In modern realities, when every decision can affect the well-being and safety of the family, it is important to pay special attention to legal support and adaptation of legislation to the needs of citizens.
Will the rules change in 2025?
In 2025, men with many children who have three or more children under the age of 18 will have the right to cross the border of Ukraine, but this right is regulated by current legislation and is associated with compliance with a number of conditions and procedures. The question of leaving this category of citizens is extremely urgent, because during the martial law, a large number of families face bureaucratic difficulties and need a clear understanding of the rules.
According to paragraph 4 of Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Mobilization and Mobilization Training”, men who have three or more children to support are not subject to mobilization. This gives them the right to freely leave the country. However, the mere presence of children is not enough. In order to exercise this right, it is necessary to provide supporting documents that certify not only the number of children, but also the fact of their maintenance and education.
The procedure for obtaining the right to cross the border begins with obtaining a deferral at the territorial center of recruitment and social support. For this, the husband must provide a package of documents, which includes birth certificates of children indicating paternity, as well as documentary evidence of participation in their maintenance. It can be a court decision on the payment of alimony or a certificate from the executive service on the absence of debt. In cases where the husband lives separately from the children, it is important to have additional confirmation that he is financially providing for their needs.
If a man has arrears in alimony payments for more than three months, this automatically deprives him of the right to deferment from mobilization and the possibility of going abroad. This provision of the law is aimed at protecting the interests of children and ensures that the status of having many children is not used as a way of evading family responsibilities. In the case of repayment of the debt, the right to postponement can be restored, but only after a corresponding decision of the executive service.
What documents are needed
To cross the border, a man with many children must have with him birth certificates or their notarized copies, a military registration document with a record of deferment, and other documents confirming his status. If the husband does not live with the children, the border guards may require additional proof of maintenance, such as a notarized statement from the mother or a court decision on the payment of alimony.
In addition, in 2025, it is planned to introduce digital solutions to facilitate the process of obtaining a deferral. One such tool will be the “Reserve+” application, which will allow parents of many children to apply online, receive deferred status and have an electronic military document. This will significantly reduce time and reduce bureaucratic obstacles.
If the border service refuses to cross the border even if all the necessary documents are present, the man has the right to appeal this decision. A complaint can be submitted to the State Border Guard Service within 30 days or applied to the administrative court for consideration of the case.
Important features of crossing the border
The rules governing the crossing of the border by parents with many children are established by Resolution No. 57 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. They define the basic requirements that apply during the period of martial law and general mobilization. For men aged 18 to 60 who apply to leave the country, a mandatory condition is to present a military registration document with an up-to-date VIN code and a record of the granted deferment to the border guards. Having three or more children is not in itself a sufficient reason to cross the border without appropriate supporting documents.
Males who are eligible for a deferment must contact the territorial recruitment and social support center to obtain a military registration document. This document is read at the border using special devices for checking electronic information.
It is important to note that men who have two children under the age of 18 and a wife who is pregnant with the third child cannot use the right to postpone until the birth of the third child.
In addition, when considering applications for postponement for parents with many children, the territorial recruitment and social support centers do not refer the applicants to a medical examination by the military medical commission. Such a referral can be issued only after a decision to grant a postponement or after a reasoned refusal.
Thus, the rules for crossing the border for men with many children are clearly regulated and aimed at ensuring a fair balance between the protection of family interests and the fulfillment of state obligations. In order to successfully cross the border, citizens must carefully prepare all the necessary documents, as well as comply with the requirements of the law, in order to avoid difficulties and provide their children with adequate support.
