Can Ukrainian pensioners travel abroad during martial law: what you need to know

During martial law, the rules for traveling abroad for Ukrainians have changed, but retirement age in itself is not a reason for a ban or automatic permission to cross the state border.

Which pensioners can travel abroad

As the State Border Guard Service explains, for men, the key thing is not the fact of receiving a pension, but their age.

After reaching the age of 60, men are no longer considered liable for military service, so they can travel outside Ukraine without hindrance.

On the other hand, men who received a pension before the age of 60 — for example, due to disability or for years of service — do not always have the right to travel. If they remain liable for military service, the general rules for crossing the border during martial law apply to them.

As a rule, there are no such restrictions for female pensioners.

Will pension payments stop after departure

Traveling abroad in itself is not a reason for the termination of pension payments. The Pension Fund notes that Ukrainian pensioners can continue to receive their pension after leaving the country.

If a person registers for permanent residence abroad, they can receive a lump-sum pension payment six months in advance.

The further procedure for receiving payments depends on the country of residence, international agreements, and the method of registration of the pension.

Why should you contact the Pension Fund

Before moving to a permanent residence abroad, experts recommend contacting the Pension Fund of Ukraine and clarifying the procedure for further receipt of payments.

Properly executed documents will help avoid delays with the pension and other organizational difficulties after leaving Ukraine.