Moving to Ukraine

Ukraine operates under martial law renewed every 90 days since 24 February 2022. Civilian airspace is closed and foreign airlines are suspended — all entries are by land or rail through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, or Moldova. Male Ukrainian citizens aged 18-60 are prohibited from leaving the country; foreigners are less restricted but must carry ID and comply with curfew and checkpoint rules. Despite war, Ukraine issues residence permits, IT-sector visas through Diia.City, and runs one of the most digitally advanced e-government systems in Europe via Diia.

Ukraine's economy is wartime-constrained but structurally oriented around IT services, agriculture, heavy industry (Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia), and a growing defense-tech sector. The IT sector is the most relevant for foreigners: over 300,000 developers, major R&D centres for global firms, and the Diia.City legal regime with a 5% preferential income tax for specialists. English is standard in IT and at international NGOs.

Ukraine's healthcare system was reformed before the war through the Patient-Centered Reform, introducing the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) and a family-doctor gatekeeper model. Residents sign a declaration with a primary care physician and access the Program of Medical Guarantees — a defined package of services free at point of use. Public hospitals in major cities provide competent emergency and specialist care, though wait times vary. Wartime pressures, including attacks on medical infrastructure and displacement of staff, have strained capacity. Most foreigners and middle-class Ukrainians supplement with private care: Dobrobut, ISIDA, Oberig, and Adonis lead in Kyiv; Medicover and Euromed operate in Lviv. A private GP consultation costs EUR 25-50; specialist visits EUR 40-80. Private health insurance from ARX, Oranta, PZU Ukraine, or UNIQA costs EUR 40-150/month. Pharmacies (Apteka, ANC, Podorozhnyk) are well-stocked; most EU medications are available locally, often without prescription, at significantly lower prices. Medical evacuation insurance is strongly advised — verify coverage of war-related incidents explicitly.

Ukraine is among the most digitally advanced countries in Europe, a position reinforced by the war. Diia, Diia.Signature, the State in a Smartphone initiative, and pervasive digital payments make daily administrative life frictionless. Mobile internet via Kyivstar, Vodafone Ukraine, and lifecell is fast and affordable (unlimited 4G from EUR 4-8/month). Fiber from Kyivstar, Volia, and Ukrtelecom delivers 100-1000 Mbps at EUR 6-12/month. Starlink is widely deployed as backup during blackouts.

Ukrainian culture is warm, direct, and rooted in language, land, and an acute historical consciousness that has intensified since 2022. The war has accelerated a shift toward Ukrainian in public life; speaking Russian publicly, especially in Kyiv, Lviv, and the west, is increasingly uncommon and can be socially awkward, though private bilingualism remains widespread. Ukrainians value sincerity, courage, self-sufficiency, and a sharp humor that has sharpened under pressure. Hospitality is central — guests are fed generously and toasts are sincere. Food culture centres on borscht (inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list as Ukrainian in 2022), varenyky, salo, deruny, and a rich bread tradition. Coffee culture is strong in Lviv (Austro-Hungarian Galician heritage) and Kyiv. Orthodox Christianity — now predominantly aligned with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine rather than the Moscow Patriarchate — shapes holidays. Since 2023, Ukraine celebrates Christmas on December 25, a symbolic break from the Russian calendar.

• •Learn and use at least basic Ukrainian greetings. 'Slava Ukraini!' (Glory to Ukraine) is answered with 'Heroyam Slava!' (Glory to the Heroes). This is now the standard national greeting, used casually among friends and formally at events.
• •When air raid alerts sound, take them seriously. Ukrainians do not panic but they do seek shelter. Follow local cues — if people around you move to a basement or corridor, move with them.
• •Respect the language choice of those around you. Many Ukrainians have consciously switched from Russian to Ukrainian since 2022. Asking 'Why do you speak Russian?' is tactless; use Ukrainian or English in public.
• •Flowers are gifted in odd numbers only (3, 5, 7...). Even-numbered bouquets are reserved for funerals. This rule is strictly observed.
• •Accept hospitality graciously. Ukrainian hosts will feed you far more than you can eat and pour far more than you can drink. Pace yourself, but do not refuse the initial offerings — refusal can seem rude.