Ukraine and EU extend transport visa-free regime

This move is expected to ensure positive export dynamics to EU countries, making Ukraine economically more stable. The agreement has been extended and will be valid for at least one year, with the possibility of automatic renewal until the end of 2025.

On June 20, in Brussels, Deputy Minister of Community, Territories, and Infrastructure Development, Serhiy Derkach, and EU Commissioner for Transport, Adina Valean, signed an extension to the Agreement on the Liberalization of Freight Transport between Ukraine and the EU, the press service of the Ministry of Reconstruction reported.

The agreement, referred to as a transport visa-free regime, enables bilateral and transit freight transportation without permits.

“Ukraine is demonstrating practical results of integration into the EU’s economic and logistics space. The extension of the ‘transport visa-free regime’ is one of these steps. It will ensure positive dynamics of exports to the EU countries, which will make us more economically sustainable. In addition, permit-free freight transportation will speed up the receipt of goods and components by Ukrainian entrepreneurs for the development of their own production,” said Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.

In addition to extending the agreement, the updated document introduces several obligations for both Ukrainian and European carriers.

In particular, all drivers must have a license for transportation or other supporting documents during transportation. All trucks carrying out transportation under this agreement must be marked.

“The key point is that the Agreement has been extended and will be valid for at least one year, with the possibility of automatic renewal until the end of 2025. For the past six months, we have been actively negotiating with the European Commission to continue the transport visa-free regime. I thank our carriers, with whom we collaborated on changes to the agreement,” emphasized Derkach.

He noted that this result allows Ukrainian businesses to plan their work, ensuring stability and predictability in the bilateral and transit transportation market, with equal conditions for Ukrainian and foreign carriers.

Derkach also pointed that the agreement benefits not only Ukraine but also the EU market, as evidenced by data showing that last year imports from the EU to Ukraine increased by more than 45% compared to 2021, while exports of domestic goods by road also increased by 45%.

One of the new items on the agreement is the requirement for supporting documents for trucks leaving Ukraine empty to pick up goods in EU countries.

Additionally, a special working group consisting of representatives from both Ukraine and the EU will be established to analyse the impact of the visa-free regime on the market.

The European Commissioner stated that signing the agreement is a significant step in strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and the EU and accelerating Ukraine’s integration into the EU transport environment.

The Ministry of Reconstruction noted that before the full-scale invasion, road transport between Ukraine and EU countries operated based on a fixed number of permits, which often ran out prematurely. The signing of the agreement on the liberalisation of freight transport with the EU in June 2022 ensured the continuity of transportation, considering the destruction of logistical routes due to the Russian invasion, and eliminated the need for permits.

Transport visa-free regime between EU and Ukraine

• Ukraine and the EU signed the transport visa-free regime agreement for road freight transport in June 2022. It was approved by President Zelenskyy in September and ratified by the European Parliament in November of the same year, although it entered into force even before the completion of ratification procedures.
• Solidarity Lanes between Ukraine and the EU were created as an alternative to Black Sea shipping routes after Russia blocked Ukrainian ports. This allowed for additional trucks to transport vital cargo to Ukraine.
• The agreement simplified the recognition of Ukrainian driving licenses. Ukraine and the EU exempted holders of licenses issued by either party from needing an international driving permit. Certificates of professional competence for driving in the EU are also valid.
• However, the transport visa-free regime led to protests by Polish carriers in November 2023, prompting Poland to seek changes to the agreement.
• In March, the European Commission proposed extending the transport agreement with Ukraine until the end of 2025, but with some modifications.

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