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Weihnachten & Neujahr 2023-2024
22.12 — 07.01.2024 • Updates alle 7 Min — 16 Grenzübergänge
When to cross the border für die Ausreise aus der Ukraine?
During the holiday period 22.12–07.01.2024, expect increased traffic at the border. We track queues at 16 checkpoints in real-time.
Data based on historical queue analysis and current period forecasts. Check "Live Queue" section below for real-time updates.
Interaktiver Kalender
Klicken Sie auf ein Datum für die Prognose
Avoid
(22.12–23.12, 25.12–30.12, 01.01–06.01)
Best
(24.12, 31.12, 07.01)
Normaler Tag
Dezember 2023
Mo
Di
Mi
Do
Fr
Sa
So
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Januar 2024
Mo
Di
Mi
Do
Fr
Sa
So
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Gewähltes Datum:
Wartezeit nach Stunden
12
9
6
3
0
00
06
12
18
23
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most popular questions about crossing the border during holidays
Holiday Queue Timing
Shortest queues are nights from 23:00 to 06:00 and early morning (06:00–09:00). On Christmas (Dec 24-25), expect maximum queues from 10:00 to 20:00. Travel at night — wait time drops from 3-4 hours to 15-30 minutes.
Christmas (Dec 24-25): Queues 90-180 minutes. Fewer people travel early (before 06:00).
New Year (Dec 31-Jan 1): Even longer queues — up to 180+ minutes. Travel 2-3 days earlier or later.
New Year (Dec 31-Jan 1): Even longer queues — up to 180+ minutes. Travel 2-3 days earlier or later.
Dec 27-30 is a "dead zone" between two celebration peaks. Most people have already crossed before Christmas or are waiting until New Year. Expect only 10-30 minutes — ideal travel time.
Yes, Dec 24-25 are the busiest days for exit. These are Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with maximum traffic. Queues are expected to reach 90-180 minutes during the day. To minimize waiting, travel at night (23:00-06:00) when traffic drops by 80%. Or postpone your trip to Dec 27-28 when most people have already reached their destinations. For trucks, the situation is critical — 37-hour waits have been recorded on Dec 22-24.
The best days to return are Jan 2-5. On Jan 1 and Dec 31, queues for entry to Ukraine reach peak values (180-420 minutes) as people rush home after celebrations. After official holidays, most guests stay with relatives for a few days, reducing traffic by half to 90-120 minutes. If you must travel Dec 31-Jan 1, go at night (23:00-06:00) — even on peak dates, queues are minimal then.
Main checkpoints (Shehyni, Krakovets, Rava-Ruska) handle up to 50% of all border traffic. With critical queues, consider alternatives: Nyzhankovychi (Lviv → Dukla, Poland) — less busy, though 30-50km longer; Smilnytsia (Ivano-Frankivsk → Krynica, Poland) — rarely used, usually 30-60 min wait; Tereblya (Zakarpattia → Vyšné Nemecké, Slovakia). Use nakordoni.eu to check alternative crossing queues before departure.
You cannot completely avoid queues, but you can minimize them with three strategies:
1. Time optimization: Travel at night (23:00–06:00) on any date. Even on peak days (Dec 24, 31), nights are calm with 15-30 min waits.
2. Day selection: Best exit dates are Dec 27-30. Best entry dates are Jan 2-5. Wait times under 90-120 min.
3. Alternative checkpoints: If main crossings are overloaded, try Nyzhankovychi or Smilnytsia.
4. eCherha system: Some checkpoints offer electronic queue booking in advance.
1. Time optimization: Travel at night (23:00–06:00) on any date. Even on peak days (Dec 24, 31), nights are calm with 15-30 min waits.
2. Day selection: Best exit dates are Dec 27-30. Best entry dates are Jan 2-5. Wait times under 90-120 min.
3. Alternative checkpoints: If main crossings are overloaded, try Nyzhankovychi or Smilnytsia.
4. eCherha system: Some checkpoints offer electronic queue booking in advance.
Yes. From October 2025, the EU is implementing EES (Entry/Exit System) — a biometric registration system for foreigners. The transition will last until April 2026. When entering the EU (including Poland), you will need to provide biometric data (fingerprints, facial photo). This adds 1-2 minutes per person to processing time, which accumulates in large queues. Plan for 20-30% more time than usual when entering the EU. This factor is already included in our queue forecasts.
Documents & Requirements
• Passport: Biometric, valid for at least 6 months
• Vehicle registration: Original
• Green Card: Mandatory car insurance
• For men: Military ID or TCC permit
• For children: Parental consent for travel
• Vehicle registration: Original
• Green Card: Mandatory car insurance
• For men: Military ID or TCC permit
• For children: Parental consent for travel
Ukrainians: Visa-free entry for 90 days within 180 days. No visa needed.
EES (from 2025): Automatic biometric registration on first EU entry.
EES (from 2025): Automatic biometric registration on first EU entry.
Practical Tips
1. Travel at night: 23:00–06:00 — 15–30 min wait
2. Choose another crossing: If main one is overloaded
3. Check nakordoni.eu: Live queue data
4. Avoid Fridays and Saturdays: Busiest days
2. Choose another crossing: If main one is overloaded
3. Check nakordoni.eu: Live queue data
4. Avoid Fridays and Saturdays: Busiest days
• Documents easily accessible
• Charged phone + charger
• Water and snacks
• Warm blanket (winter)
• Entertainment for kids
• Charged phone + charger
• Water and snacks
• Warm blanket (winter)
• Entertainment for kids
Traveling with Children
• Travel consent: From both parents (if child under 16)
• Birth certificate: When traveling with one parent
• Child's passport: Biometric or travel document
• Divorce certificate: If parents are divorced
• Birth certificate: When traveling with one parent
• Child's passport: Biometric or travel document
• Divorce certificate: If parents are divorced
Emergency Situations
1. Turn on hazard lights
2. Call 112
3. Move car to side if possible
4. Call tow truck
Border Guard hotline: +38 (0)44 290-8901
2. Call 112
3. Move car to side if possible
4. Call tow truck
Border Guard hotline: +38 (0)44 290-8901
• Ask the officer for the reason
• Request the checkpoint commander
• Border Guard hotline: +38 (0)44 290-8901
• Document the incident (officer number, time, date)
• Request the checkpoint commander
• Border Guard hotline: +38 (0)44 290-8901
• Document the incident (officer number, time, date)