Who has the right to leave Ukraine during martial law: recent changes for those who plan to go abroad

The war, which has been going on for more than three years, continues to change the lives of millions of Ukrainians. For many, crossing the border has become a matter of safety, survival or vital necessity. Refugees, military families, people with special circumstances — every day, thousands of citizens seek an answer to the question of whether they have the right to leave the country during martial law. Regulations are constantly updated, so understanding the current regulations is critical for anyone planning evacuation or forced travel abroad.

Currently, due to the martial law introduced in Ukraine and the general mobilization, there are restrictions on the departure of men of conscription age. However, there are a number of exceptions – categories of citizens who are allowed by law to cross the state border without the approval of the military commissariat or relevant ministry. The list of these categories is updated and supplemented by the government depending on the situation.

According to the latest changes, new groups were added to the list of persons who are allowed to leave Ukraine during martial law. In particular, the right to leave the country was given to men who have an official postponement from mobilization and who lost loved ones during hostilities. We are talking about cases when during the war, the closest relatives were killed or went missing – husband, wife, son, daughter, father, mother, full-blooded or half-blooded brother or sister.

Separately, men whose relatives received the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously were included in the list. Such persons have the legal right to travel abroad without additional permits and approvals. This is an important amendment that takes into account the special circumstances of the families of fallen Heroes.

In addition, the right to leave remains for those categories of citizens that were provided for earlier. Among them:

• persons who have reservation from mobilization for the period of martial law;
• men who were officially declared unfit for military service by medical commissions due to their health;
• parents raising three or more minor children;
• men who are sole custodial parents of their children;
• persons who take care of people with disabilities and have the official status of companions;
• guardians and custodians.

To cross the state border, each of these citizens must have with them all the documents confirming the right to leave. First of all, this is a military registration document (military card or registration card), as well as originals and copies of documents certifying belonging to the appropriate category: medical certificates, court decisions, children’s birth certificates, guardianship documents or a caregiver’s certificate.

Separately, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine defined a special procedure for traveling abroad for representatives of creative professions and the media. It is about Resolution No. 244 of March 4, 2025, which has already been published by the State Border Service. According to this resolution, men aged 18 to 60 who work in the media sphere or are artists can leave Ukraine only if they follow clear rules for crossing the border and have official documents confirming the purpose and nature of the trip.

The border service emphasizes that no man of conscription age will be able to leave Ukraine without a military registration document and documents confirming the reason and legality of departure. That is why, before planning a trip, every citizen should carefully check the current requirements and prepare the entire package of necessary documents.

Given the complexity of the situation, it is necessary to consult with specialists in advance and check the current regulations, as the regulations may change depending on the decisions of the government and the military-political situation in the country. The question of going abroad today is extremely important for many people – for those who lost loved ones in the war, for parents who are raising children on their own, for people who find themselves in difficult life circumstances. Understanding your rights and opportunities will help you avoid problems when crossing the border and protect yourself and your families.

It is worth remembering: any attempt to illegally cross the border during martial law is punishable by law. Therefore, you should act exclusively in the legal field and take into account all applicable restrictions and permissions.