Rosh Hashanah 2026 in Uman: Insurance, Safety and Travelling to Ukraine

Quick Answer

According to Ukraine's State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), tens of thousands of Hasidic pilgrims from around the world travel to Uman for the holiday each year. Preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage are being made under martial law.

You can read the Ukrainian authorities' own statement on the 2026 preparations here:

• DESS: preparations for the Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman for Rosh Hashanah

For a foreign pilgrim, a trip to Uman today is different from ordinary tourism. Alongside the route and accommodation, you need to account for air-raid alerts, curfew, possible movement restrictions and the risks that come with an ongoing war.

One important part of that preparation is medical insurance for foreigners in Ukraine that includes passive war-risk cover.

This guide explains what to know before travelling for Rosh Hashanah 2026, how to reach Uman, which rules to keep in mind, and why a standard tourist policy may not be enough for a trip to Ukraine.

When Is Rosh Hashanah in Uman in 2026?

In 2026 Rosh Hashanah is celebrated from 11 to 13 September.

Uman is one of the main pilgrimage destinations for Breslov Hasidim. Pilgrims travel there to the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, in the historic centre of the pilgrimage district.

For many believers, travelling to Uman for Rosh Hashanah is a religious tradition observed over many years.

Ukrainian state bodies are already preparing for the 2026 pilgrimage. DESS in particular points to the need to coordinate the services responsible for security and for hosting a large number of foreign visitors.

Is It Safe to Travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah 2026?

This is the first question every foreign pilgrim should ask before booking anything.

Ukraine remains under martial law, so complete safety cannot be guaranteed anywhere in the country.

In particular, travellers need to take into account:

• air-raid alerts;
• missile and drone attacks;
• the need to use shelters;
• curfew;
• document checks;
• possible temporary movement restrictions;
• changes to transport schedules;
• heavier load on border crossings and transport infrastructure.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously issued a formal warning to Hasidic pilgrims about the risks of travelling to Uman during Rosh Hashanah. That warning specifically mentioned martial law, restrictions on freedom of movement, curfew, increased patrols and additional requirements for pilgrims. It dates from 2023, so before travelling in 2026 you should check the current guidance from the Ukrainian authorities.

• Ukraine MFA: warning for Hasidic pilgrims visiting Uman for the Jewish New Year

What Foreign Pilgrims Should Check Before Travelling

Before travelling to Uman it is worth checking several key points in advance.

1. Documents

Check your passport's validity and the entry requirements that apply specifically to citizens of your country.

2. Route

Because scheduled passenger flights to Ukraine are suspended, the international leg of the journey has to be planned around entering overland through a neighbouring country.

3. Accommodation

Demand for accommodation in Uman rises sharply during Rosh Hashanah, so it is better to arrange somewhere to stay well in advance.

4. Transfer

Work out the route from the airport or border crossing to Uman before the trip begins.

5. Medical insurance

The policy has to match the conditions of your trip, stay valid for the whole period, and take into account what travelling in Ukraine during the war actually involves.

6. War risks

This point matters most. Check whether your insurance excludes injuries caused by military action, or whether it provides cover for them.

Why an Ordinary Travel Policy May Not Be Enough

For a trip to Ukraine in 2026 it is not enough simply to see the words "medical expenses" in the policy terms.

Many standard travel and medical programmes contain exclusions tied to war, military action, or travel to countries with a heightened level of war risk.

So before buying, check:

• whether the policy is valid in Ukraine;
• whether it covers medical expenses;
• whether cover runs for your entire stay;
• what territorial restrictions apply;
• whether there are exclusions tied to military action;
• whether cover extends to injuries resulting from war-related events;
• which activities are excluded from cover.

For a trip to Uman this question is especially relevant, because the pilgrimage takes place during an ongoing armed conflict.

Insurance for Foreigners in Ukraine With War-Risk Cover

Insurance Ukraine exists specifically for foreign nationals travelling to Ukraine.

Unlike an ordinary tourist policy, insurance programmes for visitors to Ukraine are built around what it means to travel to a country under martial law.

Insurance Ukraine policies include passive war-risk cover, with the final scope of protection set by the contract terms, territorial restrictions and the specific insurance certificate.

In practice this means a civilian foreign traveller can have medical cover for certain injuries connected to war-related events, where the contract terms provide for that event.

For example, the contract provides for medical assistance for injuries arising from military action, including harm connected with missiles, drones and other means of warfare, within the limits and on the terms of the contract.

Important to understand

This is specifically passive war risk. The insurance:

• is not intended for participants in hostilities;
• does not cover active participation in military action;
• does not amount to insurance for military service;
• does not cancel the territorial or other exclusions in the contract.

So read the full insurance terms before you travel.

What Does Medical Insurance for a Trip to Uman Cover?

Depending on the policy option chosen, cover may include medical expenses connected with:

• sudden illness;
• an accident;
• injuries;
• emergency medical care;
• outpatient treatment;
• hospitalisation;
• emergency dental care;
• medical transport;
• other medical services provided for by the contract.

Insurance Ukraine offers several cover options, including a plan with a medical limit of up to €30,000. A policy can be arranged online and the PDF document is issued after payment.

The main advantage for a trip to Uman

For a pilgrim, what matters is not simply holding a medical policy, but understanding what happens if medical care is needed as a result of a war-related event.

That is exactly why, when choosing a policy for a trip to Ukraine, it is worth checking separately for passive war-risk coverage.

Get Insurance for Your Trip to Ukraine

If you are planning to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah 2026, it is better to arrange medical insurance before the journey begins.

Foreign visitors can arrange a policy online by entering their citizenship, passport details and the dates of their stay in Ukraine. The policy is sent electronically after successful payment. Cover of up to €30,000 in medical expenses plus passive war risks, depending on the plan chosen and the contract terms.

How to Get to Uman for Rosh Hashanah 2026

Because Ukrainian airspace remains closed to scheduled civilian passenger flights, foreign pilgrims need to plan the trip using overland transport.

One common approach is to fly into a neighbouring country and then continue by car, bus or rail.

Depending on your country of departure, possible routes run through:

• Poland;
• Moldova;
• Romania;
• Slovakia;
• Hungary.

Choose the route with the current border situation, transport schedules and possible delays in mind.

Transfer to Uman

Demand for transport rises sharply during Rosh Hashanah, so it is worth deciding in advance on:

1. the airport or point of entry into Ukraine;
2. how you will cross the border;
3. transport after the border;
4. where you will stay in Uman;
5. the return route.

A transfer arranged in advance does not guarantee there will be no delays, but it does remove a great deal of logistical uncertainty.

What to Do During an Air-Raid Alert

Foreign visitors should find out in advance where the nearest shelter is.

When an air-raid alert is announced you should:

1. stop moving around;
2. go to the nearest available shelter;
3. follow the instructions of the local authorities;
4. stay somewhere safe until the all-clear is announced.

Do not rely solely on a mobile app or a notification from your hotel. Before the trip it helps to find out where the shelter nearest your accommodation is.

Curfew in Uman

Martial law allows for restrictions on movement during certain hours.

Curfew hours and other local restrictions can change.

So do not plan to arrive in Uman late at night without first checking the current rules. This matters particularly when arranging a transfer from the border or a transport hub.

Document Checks

While in Ukraine, foreign nationals should carry identity documents and their insurance policy. Checks may be carried out on roads and in towns.

It is recommended to:

• carry your passport with you;
• keep an electronic copy of your documents;
• save the insurance certificate on your phone;
• have the contact details of your accommodation;
• follow the instructions of Ukrainian officials.

What to Take With You to Uman

Besides ordinary travel items, a pilgrim should prepare:

• a valid passport;
• a copy of the passport;
• a medical insurance policy;
• confirmation of accommodation;
• transfer details;
• a charger and a power bank;
• any medication you need;
• a phone with working mobile service;
• contact details for relatives or companions;
• the address of the nearest shelter.

Keep the insurance policy both on your phone and in your email, so you can reach it even if you lose one of them.

Pilgrim Checklist Before Rosh Hashanah 2026

Before setting off for Ukraine, check that:

• your passport and documents are valid;
• you have checked the entry requirements for your citizenship;
• accommodation in Uman is booked;
• the route to Ukraine is planned;
• an overland transfer is arranged;
• medical insurance is arranged;
• passive war-risk cover has been checked;
• the electronic insurance certificate is saved;
• emergency contacts are saved;
• you have checked the authorities' current guidance before departure.

Do You Need Insurance for a Trip to Uman?

Foreign visitors to Ukraine should hold valid medical insurance in line with the requirements that apply to their trip and entry.

Holding a policy is not the only criterion, though. It is important to check whether its cover matches the real conditions of the journey.

For a trip to Uman during Rosh Hashanah 2026, passive war-risk cover matters especially, because standard international tourist policies may exclude such events.

Does Insurance Cover War Risks in Ukraine?

That depends on the specific insurance contract.

Insurance Ukraine provides policies for foreign travellers in which passive war risks are included in the cover, subject to the contract terms and the applicable territorial restrictions.

Such cover can apply to medical expenses following an unintentional injury connected with a war-related event. The policy does not cover active participation in hostilities and is not intended for combatants.

Read the terms of your specific insurance certificate before buying.

Can You Buy Insurance Online Before Travelling to Uman?

Yes. A foreign traveller can arrange a policy online before travelling to Ukraine. After successful payment the insurance document is provided electronically.

That suits pilgrims organising the trip from abroad who want every document ready in advance.

FAQ

When is Rosh Hashanah 2026 in Uman?

The pilgrimage and the Rosh Hashanah celebration in Uman in 2026 are scheduled for 11-13 September.

Can you travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah 2026?

Each traveller makes that decision themselves, taking into account the current security situation and the guidance of their own government and the Ukrainian authorities. Ukraine remains a country with heightened war risks.

Do foreigners need medical insurance in Ukraine?

Requirements depend on citizenship and the specific entry situation. Foreign travellers are advised to check the current requirements in advance and to hold a valid medical policy for the whole period of their stay.

Does an ordinary travel policy cover war risks?

Not necessarily. Many insurance programmes contain exclusions for military action, so you need to check the terms of the specific policy.

Does Insurance Ukraine cover war risks?

Yes. Insurance Ukraine policies provide passive war-risk cover for foreign travellers in line with the contract terms. Active participation in hostilities is not covered.

What is the maximum medical cover available?

Insurance Ukraine offers medical cover of up to €30,000, depending on the plan chosen.

Can I arrange insurance before leaving my own country?

Yes. Insurance can be arranged online before the trip and the electronic document is delivered by email.

How do I get to Uman?

Foreign pilgrims usually plan an international flight to a country neighbouring Ukraine and then continue overland. The exact route depends on the country of departure and the current situation at the border.

What should I do during an air-raid alert?

Follow the instructions of the local authorities and move to the nearest available shelter. Before travelling, find out where the shelter nearest your accommodation is.

Does the insurance cover participation in hostilities?

No. Insurance for foreign travellers is intended for a civilian stay and is not insurance for active participation in military action.

Final Note

A pilgrimage to Uman in 2026 needs more planning than an ordinary trip: an overland route, accommodation booked early, curfew and air-raid alerts, and a policy whose cover matches the real conditions of the journey.

Insurance does not remove any of those risks. What it does is make sure that, if medical care is needed, the cost is not something you have to carry alone.