You’ve enjoyed visa-free trips to the EU since 2017, but what happens next? In this article you’ll learn how Ukraine officially asked Brussels to evaluate its Schengen readiness, what criteria must be met, how this will reshape trade and mobility, and why martial law and judicial reforms matter. I’ll also compare Ukraine’s journey to Croatia’s recent accession and explain how short-stay freedom differs from full membership.

Kyiv’s Official Appeal and Negotiations

In July 2023 Ukraine formally asked the European Commission to assess its ability to join the Schengen Area, as detailed in the Council of the EU press release on Ukraine’s Schengen evaluation request—the first legal step toward removing internal borders with EU neighbors.

Visa-Free Travel Since 2017

Ukrainians can enter all Schengen states without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day span for tourism, business, family and cultural visits, under the EU visa liberalisation regime for Ukraine.

Negotiations on Full Membership

Once Brussels confirms Ukraine meets technical and security standards, formal talks can start—possibly as soon as next year, according to a Reuters report.

Key Criteria for Full Schengen Entry

Before Schengen membership, Ukraine must demonstrate:

• Robust external border management
• Effective visa-issuing systems
• Advanced data protection measures
• Strong police and judicial cooperation

These requirements align with the Schengen acquis, the rulebook every member follows.

Digital Borders and Biometric Passports

Since 2015 Ukraine issues biometric passports, embedding facial and fingerprint data—see the Wikipedia entry on Ukrainian biometric passports. New e-gates and a unified border-management system will be tested during the EU’s assessment.

Economic and Social Impacts

Trade Integration and Mobility

The EU is Ukraine’s largest trading partner—44.7 % of Ukrainian goods exports went to EU markets in 2022, according to Observatory of Economic Complexity data. Full Schengen access could:
1. Speed customs checks
2. Lower logistics costs
3. Encourage cross-border investments

Effects on Diaspora and Refugees

Over 5 million Ukrainians reside in EU member states. Schengen membership would simplify family visits, work commutes and return trips, as reflected in UNHCR’s data on Ukrainian displacement and diaspora in EU states.

How Ukraine’s Border Rules Came to Be

• 1991: Independence—strict Soviet-era exit procedures
• 2002: Ukraine joins the Council of Europe, begins aligning with EU standards
• 2008: EU visa-liberalisation action plan launched
• 2017: Visa-free travel granted

This evolution reflects two decades of legal and technical reforms.

Security, Martial Law and Judicial Reforms

Martial Law’s Influence

Since February 2022 martial law governs border zones and restricts certain crossings, as outlined in the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada information on martial law decree. Brussels will examine how these measures coexist with Schengen’s open-border principle.

International Oversight

The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission advises Ukraine on judicial independence and anti-corruption laws—critical for meeting Schengen’s security and rule-of-law benchmarks, detailed in the Venice Commission’s report on judicial independence reforms.

Lessons from Croatia’s 2023 Schengen Entry

Croatia joined Schengen on January 1, 2023 after:
– Five years of EU membership
– Upgrading its entire border infrastructure
– Passing 120 legal acts to comply with Schengen rules, as analysed in the Deutsche Welle report on Croatia’s Schengen accession

Ukraine can draw on this blueprint to streamline its own accession.

Beyond 90 Days: Visa-Free vs. Full Membership

Visa-free travel lets you visit up to 90 days in 180 but:
– You can’t work or settle long-term.
– You face routine passport checks.

Full Schengen membership removes internal controls yet allows each country to set national residence and work rules under the EU’s freedom-of-movement framework.

On the Horizon: What Schengen Means for You

Ukraine’s request to join Schengen starts a complex evaluation of its borders, data systems and legal framework. If successful, you’ll cross into Poland or Hungary without stopping, trade will flow faster, and millions of Ukrainians in the EU will find travel even easier. The coming months will show if Ukraine’s reforms meet Brussels’ exacting standards—and whether the dream of seamless European travel becomes reality.