Ukraine is updating its border and preparing an “eCheck” for cars: what will change for travelers next year
24 December 14:38
The Ministry of Communities and Territories Development has announced that in 2026 it plans to complete the reconstruction of a number of border crossing points and launch a pilot project calledeCheck for cars. This includes both the modernization of existing infrastructure and the opening of new facilities. This was reported by the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to the government, these steps should reduce queues, increase border capacity, and bring Ukrainian procedures closer to EU standards.
Which checkpoints will be renovated
Reconstruction and completion of works are planned in the following areas:
- “Luzhanka – Beregsurany,
- “Uzhhorod – Vysne Nemecke,
- “Mohyliv-Podilskyi – Otach,
- “Reni – Giurgiulesti,
- “Porubne – Siret.
Separate overhauls are planned for the stations:
- “Chop – Zahony”,
- “Maly Berezny – Ubl‘a,
- “Solotvyno – Sighetu Marmatiei.
The ministry also named the launch of a new checkpoint “Bila Tserkva – Sighetu Marmatiei ” on the border with Romania as a priority project.
Service zones and joint control
In parallel, the government plans to set up service areas for drivers in front of the Yahodyn, Rava-Ruska, Krakivets, and Reni checkpoints . These are parking lots, sanitary areas, and other basic services that should reduce the load directly on the border.
Another area is to expand the practice of joint control with neighboring countries. Ukraine is preparing amendments to the existing agreements with Romania and Hungary, which should open up opportunities to launch new checkpoints and speed up inspections.
What is eCheck for cars?
The Ministry of Development plans to pilot the “eCheck” system for cars as a separate block. Currently, the system is available for trucks and buses, but the next step is to extend it to private vehicles.
The Ministry notes that preparatory work is already underway. It is expected that digital queuing will reduce chaotic congestion and make border crossing times more predictable.
What has already been done
In 2025, according to the Ministry, with the support of international partners
- the Velyka Palad-Nagyhodos passenger checkpoint with Hungary was opened;
- repairs of 10 checkpoints were completed, most of them on the border with Moldova;
- large buses were launched through the Dyakivtsi checkpoint on the border with Romania during the tourist season;
- an agreement was signed with Slovakia to expand the capacity of the Uzhhorod and Maly Berezny checkpoints .
Why it is important
Over the three years of eCherge’s operation, carriers have made more than 2.6 million border crossings, mostly by trucks and buses. Expanding the project to include cars and modernizing the infrastructure should be the next step in reducing queues on Ukraine’s western border, a problem that remains one of the most painful for citizens and businesses during the war and European integration.
