The Key Points in 30 Seconds
The ordinary travel policy you'd buy for most destinations almost certainly does not cover war risks. This is a standard exclusion in contracts the world over. For a trip to Ukraine in 2026 you need a policy that specifically includes coverage for losses connected to hostilities — otherwise a claim in such a situation simply won't be recognised.
The good news: you can arrange this kind of policy entirely online in a few minutes, before you even leave home. The bad news, if you leave it to chance: checking for war-risk coverage at the border is already too late — the contract has to be in force from the moment you enter the country.
Why a Standard Policy Won't Do
A typical travel policy has an "Exclusions" section, and wording along the lines of "war, hostilities, armed conflict, insurrection" turns up in almost every one. That means even if you hold a valid policy from your usual provider, losses caused by circumstances of a military nature will not be accepted for reimbursement.
So the logic is straightforward:
- you need a separate product or an extension where war risks are explicitly listed as covered rather than excluded;
- you should check this in advance — by reading the terms, not by relying on verbal assurances;
- the coverage territory matters — even a policy with war-risk coverage contains territorial limits, and you should know them ahead of time.
What the Coverage Must Include
Before buying, run the policy against this list:
- Explicitly stated war-risk coverage — look for a clause where war and armed conflict are NOT excluded but included.
- Medical expenses and emergency care — treatment, hospitalisation, urgent care.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation — moving you to a safer location or back home when medically necessary.
- A 24/7 assistance line — a contact you can reach from within Ukraine at any hour.
- Clear territorial exclusions — not "entire regions" but specific zone categories (see below).
- A validity period covering your whole stay — from the date of entry to the date of departure.
If any of the first four points is missing, the policy is not suitable for a trip to Ukraine.
How to Read the Territorial Exclusions
A properly drafted policy does not exclude coverage for whole regions — that would be both unfair and inaccurate. Instead, the limits are described as four zone categories:
- active combat zones — as defined by the relevant state acts;
- temporarily occupied territories;
- a 50-kilometre buffer strip around the first two categories;
- areas with a special-access regime.
Everything outside these zones is generally covered. Because the boundaries shift, check the status of a specific location against official sources: the lists approved by the Cabinet of Ministers and the relevant authorities, along with the current decisions of local military administrations. Plan your route so you never enter any of the listed categories.
Step-by-Step Checklist for Getting Insured
Step 1. Set your dates and route. Know your exact entry and exit dates and the cities you plan to visit. This affects both the policy period and compliance with the territorial terms.
Step 2. Request a quote online. On the market, policies of this kind run to roughly a few euros per day; the exact amount depends on the duration, your age and the options you choose, and is calculated on the quote page. You can start the request here: calculate and buy a policy.
Step 3. Check the coverage against the checklist above. Pay particular attention to the war-risk clause and the list of territorial exclusions.
Step 4. Enter your details and pay. You'll need your passport details, travel dates and a contact email.
Step 5. Receive the policy by email. Save the PDF to your phone and print a copy — internet access on the ground isn't guaranteed.
Step 6. Note the assistance-line number separately. It should be within reach even if you can't open the policy file itself.
Step 7. Make sure the policy is in force from your entry date. Buy before crossing the border, not after.
Why Before the Trip, Not at the Border
Cover begins the moment the policy takes effect. If you enter without an active contract, the period before purchase isn't covered — and it's precisely the first hours after entry, often spent travelling, that carry heightened risk. On top of that, the border offers neither the time nor a stable connection to compare terms carefully and confirm that war risks really are included. Arranging things calmly at home lets you read the contract and make an informed choice.
Who Stands Behind the Policy: The Regulatory Foundation
Trust in an insurance policy comes not only from the wording of its terms but from who issues it. The key markers to check:
- the insurer is regulated by the National Bank of Ukraine (licence class 18);
- it belongs to a group listed on an EU exchange and subject to the Solvency II solvency requirements;
- the agent holds USREOU code 44559356;
- in line with the IDD (Insurance Distribution Directive), information is disclosed about who exactly acts as the distributor.
It's worth verifying these details before paying — they confirm that you're dealing with a regulated market participant, not an unlicensed intermediary.
In Short
For a trip to Ukraine in 2026, arrange a separate policy with explicitly stated war-risk coverage, run it against the checklist, cross-check the territorial exclusions with official sources, and buy before you enter. That way you'll avoid the most common mistake — relying on a standard policy that excludes war risks.
