The short answer: an ordinary policy does not cover war
If you're a Czech citizen planning a trip to Ukraine in 2026, the first thing to know is this: the typical travel insurance sold for holidays in Europe almost always carries an exclusion for war and combat operations. This isn't a trick played by one particular seller — it's an industry standard. Classic policy wording includes phrases along the lines of "losses arising from war, military operations, armed conflict, acts of terrorism, insurrection or their consequences are not covered."
In other words, even if you hold an expensive policy with a high medical limit, in any situation involving shelling, shrapnel or combat operations the insurer has a legal basis to decline the claim. This exclusion is exactly what most articles on "travel insurance for Ukraine" stay silent about — yet for a trip to Ukraine specifically, it's the decisive point.
The good news: separate war-risk cover does exist, can be arranged online, and costs just a few euros a day. Below is how to verify it and do it properly.
Why the war exclusion exists in the first place
Insurance is built on the predictability of risk. Military operations, by their very nature, generate mass, unpredictable losses affecting many policyholders at once, which is why they are traditionally placed outside basic cover. As a result:
- a standard travel policy is not designed for zones of active conflict;
- to be protected, you need separate or extended cover in which war risks are explicitly included rather than excluded;
- this cover is offered as a specialised product, not as a tick-box in an ordinary beach-holiday package.
What exactly to look for in the policy terms
Before paying for any policy, open the terms and conditions and check the following points. You can do this without knowing prices and without tying yourself to any particular brand:
- The "Exclusions" section. Find the clause on war and armed conflict. If it's there and nothing offsets it, the policy will not protect you in a war situation.
- A dedicated war-risk clause. The right product states plainly that risks related to military operations on the territory of Ukraine are covered.
- Territorial cover. Make sure Ukraine falls within the scope of the policy, and read the list of territorial restrictions carefully (more on this below).
- What exactly is covered. Look for medical expenses resulting from injury, emergency assistance and repatriation.
- Limits and deductible. What the maximum payout is, and what share of the loss remains on you.
- Who the insurer and the agent are. A legitimate product discloses this clearly (see the section on regulation).
If the document shows a war exclusion and no separate extension whatsoever, it's not the policy you need for Ukraine.
Territorial restrictions: not everywhere is covered
Even a solid policy with war-risk cover has justified territorial boundaries. Note that correct cover describes its exclusions not as whole regions, but as four categories of zones:
- Combat zones defined by the relevant state acts;
- Temporarily occupied territories;
- A 50-km buffer zone around the first two categories;
- Areas under a special-access regime.
The rest of Ukraine remains within the scope of an active policy. If a seller promises protection "anywhere in Ukraine with no exceptions," that's a reason for doubt, not an advantage.
Step by step: how to arrange a policy for entering Ukraine
- Check the current travel advice. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí ČR, mzv.gov.cz) publishes official travel recommendations for Ukraine. Read them before you start planning.
- Settle your dates and route. Know how many days you'll spend in Ukraine and which regions you'll visit — this affects your choice of cover.
- Choose a product with explicit war-risk cover. Don't rely on an ordinary package; look specifically for a policy for entering Ukraine with war risks included.
- Get a quote online. You can arrange a policy with war-risk cover on the quote page — the price depends on the duration and terms and is shown right there in the form.
- Read the terms before you pay. Run through the checklist from the section above: exclusions, war-risk, limits, territorial restrictions.
- Save the policy and the assistance contacts. Keep an electronic and a printed copy, and note the emergency assistance number separately from your phone.
Official sources worth keeping to hand
- MZV ČR — travel advice and consular assistance for Czech citizens: mzv.gov.cz.
- The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ukraine — contacts for emergencies.
- The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine — up-to-date entry and border-crossing rules.
For precise terms, sums and durations, always refer to the text of the contract and the official quote page rather than third-party reviews — the data there may be out of date.
Who stands behind the policy (regulation)
Trust in insurance starts with transparency. The policy in question is issued by an insurer regulated by the National Bank of Ukraine (licence class 18) and belonging to a group listed on an EU stock exchange and operating under the Solvency II regime. The agent operates under identification by USREOU code 44559356, and the disclosure of the intermediary's status is carried out in line with the requirements of the IDD (Insurance Distribution Directive). You should see this information in the documents — its presence is a sign of a legitimate product.
Summary
For Czech travellers heading to Ukraine in 2026, the main rule is simple: ordinary travel insurance doesn't cover war, so you need separate war-risk cover. Check the exclusions section, look for the explicit inclusion of war risks, pay attention to the four categories of territorial restrictions, and rely on the official MZV ČR advice. That's how you get real protection rather than a formal piece of paper.