Many Ukrainians abroad have open enforcement proceedings for child support — sometimes without knowing it. If the total arrears exceed four months of the relevant payments, the state enforcement officer issues reasoned orders imposing temporary restrictions on the debtor (Article 71(9) of the Law on Enforcement Proceedings). For support of a child with a disability or certain serious illnesses, the threshold is three months.
The law provides for temporary restrictions on leaving Ukraine, driving (with exceptions), using certain weapons and hunting. They are imposed by orders of the enforcement officer, not automatically when the debt arises.
Why it matters if you live abroad
The restriction concerns leaving Ukraine, not entering it. You can travel in, but be refused on your way back while the restriction is in force: the information is passed to the State Border Guard Service. Martial-law exit rules apply separately — lifting a child-support restriction does not by itself give a right to leave if those rules do not allow it.
How to check yourself
- The Border Guard Service personal cabinet (cabinet.dpsu.gov.ua) — since May 2026 it shows temporary exit restrictions imposed by courts or the enforcement service. Login is via an e-signature (id.gov.ua, Diia.Signature, BankID or a qualified e-signature). Martial-law restrictions are not shown there.
- The Unified Register of Debtors (erb.minjust.gov.ua) — public, but it does not cover all proceedings: debtors for periodic payments such as child support are entered only once arrears exceed three months. No entry does not prove there are no proceedings.
- The Automated Enforcement Proceedings System (ASVP) (asvpweb.minjust.gov.ua) — a party can view the case documents, including restriction orders, using an access identifier.
When you need a lawyer
A self-check will show whether a restriction exists. But if it does, or the debt has been paid and the record is still there, legal work is needed:
- find out on what grounds, when and by whom the restriction was imposed — request on whether a temporary restriction on travelling abroad exists;
- obtain the enforcement file, check the arrears calculation and the lawfulness of the order;
- if the restriction has been lifted but the database has not been updated — request to remove information on a temporary exit restriction from the Border Guard database.
A lawyer’s request does not lift the restriction and does not guarantee access to restricted information, but it helps gather the documents needed to have it removed.
How to get the restriction lifted
The restrictions remain until the arrears are paid in full. The enforcement officer then issues an order lifting them (or, where the law provides, closes the proceedings), and the documents are sent to the Border Guard Service. Payment does not make the record disappear instantly, so check the current status in the Border Guard personal cabinet before you travel.
In short
- Child support arrears above four months of payments (three in certain cases) are grounds for restrictions, including on leaving Ukraine.
- You can enter Ukraine but not leave while the restriction is in force.
- You can check for free in the Border Guard personal cabinet.
- A lawyer can establish the grounds, check the debt and get the record removed without you travelling to Ukraine.
Up to date as of 22 October 2026. This article is for general information and is not individual legal advice.