Ukraine and EU Extend “Transport Visa-Free” Deal Until 2027
Ukraine and the European Union have agreed to prolong their landmark “transport visa-free” arrangement for an additional 15 months, ensuring it will remain in force at least until March 2027.
The Gaze reports this, referring to an announcement made by Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities and Territories Development.
The agreement, first signed in June 2022, allows Ukrainian and EU freight carriers to operate without special permits for bilateral and transit transport.
According to Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration Oleksii Kuleba, the deal has already delivered tangible results: Ukraine’s trade with the EU by road has grown nearly 55% during the agreement’s validity.
“Stable freight transport operations between Ukraine and the EU are a guarantee of Ukraine’s economic stability. Roads are our primary channel for exporting value-added goods, which form a significant part of budget revenues. Equally important is the ability to import vital cargo without obstacles,” Kuleba stated.
The European Commission and a majority of EU member states supported the extension, which also commits Ukraine to further aligning its legislation with European standards.
Planned measures include the gradual rollout of smart tachographs in new trucks, professional training for transport company managers, and stricter requirements for carriers’ business reputation.
This is the third renewal of the arrangement. In 2024, both sides agreed that the deal would be automatically extended until the end of 2025 if no violations or negative impacts were observed.
The latest decision secures continuity beyond that point, providing stability for trade and transport links despite the ongoing challenges of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“I am grateful to our partners in the European Union for constructive dialogue and for understanding that this Agreement benefits both parties, as liberalization ensures the resilience of bilateral trade,” Kuleba concluded.
As The Gaze reported earlier, despite demands from five EU countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania) to revise the text of the new trade agreement, the European Commission does not intend to make changes to the already agreed document, based on the provisions of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between Ukraine and the EU.