Practical info for Ukraine
Emergencies, embassy, entry requirements, money: the essentials before you go, with the official source and the date each piece of information was checked.
Embassy and entry requirements shown for travellers from: United Kingdom.
Emergency numbers
Source: France Diplomatie, GOV.UK, French embassy, Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas, Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP · verified on 26/10/2026
Embassy and consulates
- British Embassy KyivEmbassy
- Address
- -, Ukraine
- Consular emergency line
- The Embassy is operating a limited diplomatic function from Kyiv but we cannot provide any in-person consular assistance. To call us in an emergency or send us an online enquiry use our contact form: https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/ukraine/british-consulate-kyiv If you are an
- British Embassy Office LvivEmbassy
- Address
- -, Lviv, Ukraine
- Phone
- +38 067 234 2772
Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
Entry requirements
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included.
Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 02/10/2026 ›
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Safety and travel advice
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the country; FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country.
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
FCDO advises against all travel to Crimea.
FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the border with Belarus in the following regions:
FCDO advises against all travel to all other regions of Ukraine (with the exception of some Western regions; see below).
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Currency and payments
Currency: Hryvnia (UAH).
The ECB does not publish a reference rate for UAH.
Source: SIX Group (ISO 4217), European Central Bank, EU Publications Office · verified on 26/10/2026
Time difference
Several time zones: +2 h to +3 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026).
The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
Source: IANA (time zones) · verified on 26/10/2026
Driving
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You must have a 1968 international driving permit (IDP) as well as your UK driving licence to drive in Ukraine. The 1949 IDP is not accepted any more. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.”
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Mobile networks
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Kyivstar (Sirocco, Airalo); lifecell (Sirocco, Airalo); Vodafone (Sirocco, Airalo); Vodafone/MTS (Sirocco).
eSIM prices for Ukraine
7 days, 5 GB · prices checked on 26/10/2026
3 brands compared, not an exhaustive listWhy this ranking?
Ranked by price: for each brand, the cheapest plan that covers 7 days and 5 GB.
Not an exhaustive comparison: 3 brands out of the dozens that sell eSIMs. The list of brands compared is in our Methodology.
eSIMeter is published by Mocom SAS, which sells Sirocco: the site is funded by those sales. No other brand pays us.
Frequently asked questions
What are the emergency numbers in Ukraine?
Police: 102 ; Medical emergencies: 103 ; Fire brigade: 101
How do I contact the embassy or consulate in Ukraine?
British Embassy Kyiv, -, Ukraine ; British Embassy Office Lviv, -, Lviv, Ukraine, Phone +38 067 234 2772. Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
What are the entry requirements for Ukraine?
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included. Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 02/10/2026.
What is the travel advice for Ukraine?
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the country; FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country. Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all travel to Crimea. FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the border with Belarus in the following regions: FCDO advises against all travel to all other regions of Ukraine (with the exception of some Western regions; see below).
What currency is used in Ukraine?
Currency: Hryvnia (UAH). The ECB does not publish a reference rate for UAH.
What is the time difference in Ukraine?
Several time zones: +2 h to +3 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026). The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
What should I know about driving in Ukraine?
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You must have a 1968 international driving permit (IDP) as well as your UK driving licence to drive in Ukraine. The 1949 IDP is not accepted any more. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.”
Which mobile networks operate in Ukraine?
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: Kyivstar (Sirocco, Airalo); lifecell (Sirocco, Airalo); Vodafone (Sirocco, Airalo); Vodafone/MTS (Sirocco).