This FAQ answers the most common questions about crossing the borders between Ukraine and the EU — queues, documents, eQueue (eCherha), pedestrian and bus crossings, customs, pets, Schengen rules, EES and ETIAS, and how the Nakordoni platform works.
Last updated: 19.03.2026
Nakordoni is an independent border-queue monitoring platform. We collect data from official agencies (eCherha, granica.gov.pl, Slovak, Hungarian and Romanian customs), road sensors (TomTom, Waze, Digitraffic) and driver reports, then publish live queues, forecasts and useful tools for travellers. The project has been online since 2023.
Yes. All core features — live queues, forecasts, the navigator and the news feed — are free for everyone. Optional Pro features (extended history, ad-free experience) are described on the membership page.
Only the domains listed on our brand page. Other look-alike sites (e.g. НАКОРДОНІ) are not affiliated with us. Please double-check the URL before entering any personal data.
For Ukrainian checkpoints we use eCherha (the official Ukrainian e-queue) and granica.gov.pl, refreshed every few minutes. For most EU-side and bus/pedestrian crossings we additionally rely on driver reports and TomTom/Waze traffic. Accuracy is highest on car directions covered by eCherha; on smaller pedestrian or rare routes the data can lag behind reality by 15–30 minutes.
The live queue shows the number of cars / waiting time reported right now. The forecast uses historical patterns (time of day, day of week, holidays, weather, sibling crossings) to predict the wait for the next hours and days. Always look at both: a low current queue can grow quickly before the shift change.
When no official source has reported in the last hour, we mark the value as stale rather than show an outdated number as if it were live. You can still see the forecast and the latest known wait time. If you are at the border, please add a quick update — it instantly refreshes the page for other drivers.
Generally, queues are smallest at night (around 02:00–05:00 local time) and largest on Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons and the day before public holidays. Always check the per-checkpoint forecast — heavily used crossings (Korczowa, Medyka, Záhony) behave very differently from quieter ones.
Border officers usually rotate around 08:00 and 20:00 local time. Processing pauses for 15–45 minutes, which often creates a visible spike in waiting time. If your trip is flexible, try to arrive 1–2 hours before or after the shift change.
eCherha (Електронна черга) is the official Ukrainian e-queue system for trucks and buses crossing the western border. It is operated by the Ministry of Restoration of Ukraine. Cars do not need eCherha — they queue in the regular lane.
In the official mobile app or on the eCherha website. On Nakordoni you can also look up live bus departures and queue positions by registration number — useful if you are travelling as a passenger and want to know where your bus actually is.
No. eCherha currently applies to buses and trucks. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists cross in their own dedicated lane and do not register in advance.
As a minimum: a valid biometric passport (6+ months of validity recommended), a visa if your destination requires one, proof of purpose of travel (booking, invitation, return ticket), travel medical insurance for the Schengen Area and — if you drive — vehicle registration and Green Card insurance. See the full list on the documents page.
Travel for men aged 18–60 is restricted under martial law (Cabinet Resolution No. 57). Only specific exemption categories may cross — health, family, critical-infrastructure assignment, drivers, athletes, students, etc. Since 27 August 2025, men aged 18–22 may travel freely with a biometric passport and military registration document. Full list: rules for men 18–60.
A child under 16 needs their own passport plus a birth certificate. With both parents — no extra paperwork. With one parent during martial law — usually no notarised consent is required, but it can speed up questions. With other adults — a notarised consent from one parent, endorsed by the guardianship authority. Details: travelling with children.
Yes, but you need: an ISO microchip, an international pet passport, a valid rabies vaccination (at least 30 days old), an international veterinary certificate (Form No. 1, issued within 5 days before departure) and — for some countries — a rabies antibody titre test. Contact the Polish Border Veterinary Control Point (BCP) in advance: veterinary BCP contacts.
Any amount of €10,000 or equivalent (cash, cheques, electronic money) must be declared in writing when entering or leaving the EU. The same rule applies in reverse to Ukrainian customs. See the customs guide for the full list of restricted goods.
Generally no. Products of animal origin (meat, milk, cheese) from non-EU countries are prohibited at the EU border. Small exceptions exist for fish, honey and eggs in limited amounts. Plant products often require a phytosanitary certificate. Officers may confiscate anything that violates the rules.
Per adult, when entering the EU by land from Ukraine: 40 cigarettes (or 20 cigarillos, 10 cigars, 50 g of tobacco), 1 L of strong spirits or 2 L of wine, plus 4 L of still wine and 16 L of beer. Exceeding the limit is allowed only with a customs declaration and excise duty payment.
Non-EU residents can recover 10–18 % VAT on shopping in the EU if a single receipt exceeds the country threshold (PLN 200 in Poland). Get a Tax Free form at checkout, have it stamped by customs at the border (24/7 Global Blue points are available, e.g. at Zosin), then claim a cash or card refund. Full guide: Tax Free for travellers.
Yes — a Green Card is mandatory third-party motor insurance for Ukrainian-registered vehicles travelling to most European countries. Since 2025 you can buy an e-policy online; it becomes valid from 00:00 the day after purchase. Moldova additionally requires a valid technical inspection. Full guide: Green Card 2025.
On Nakordoni we publish daily prices for petrol, diesel, LPG and AdBlue in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Germany and 22 other EU countries — see fuel for drivers. The navigator can suggest the cheapest station along your route.
Most countries on a Ukraine→EU route charge either tolls (Poland, Italy, France, Croatia, Greece) or vignettes (Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Czechia, Austria, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Switzerland, Moldova). Buy a vignette online before the trip. Our route navigator calculates expected toll costs for 37 countries.
Non-EU nationals (including Ukrainians without temporary protection in another country) can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. Both entry and exit days count. Overstaying may lead to fines, a re-entry ban or deportation. Use our 90/180 calculator to plan your trip.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the new automated biometric border control for non-EU short-stay travellers. Phased roll-out began on 12 October 2025 and the system becomes fully operational on 10 April 2026. Registration is free and happens at the border. Detailed guide: EES at the border.
ETIAS is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System — an online travel authorisation for visa-exempt non-EU nationals. Ukrainian biometric-passport holders will need to apply for an ETIAS once the system is live. The fee is €7, the authorisation is valid 3 years. Full guide: ETIAS for Ukrainians.
Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) status for Ukrainians has been extended at least until 4 March 2026. It grants the right to live, work and access services in EU countries without a visa. Each EU country issues its own residence document.
Open the queue form on your phone, pick the checkpoint and direction, enter the current wait time and the number of cars in front of you. The update appears for other drivers within a minute. You can also report road conditions, speed cameras or driver-relevant POIs.
Yes. After you submit, you get a unique ID (NKD-XXXX-XXXX). Open my.nakordoni.eu to see the status of your entry, edit it or report when you have crossed.
Yes — YakNak and KORDON.online for Android. They give push notifications when the queue at your favourite checkpoints changes. Get them from our download page.
Nakordoni — an independent border-queue monitoring platform. Established 2023. Updated: 19.03.2026.
