overview
Ukraine
country information
Flag
capital
Kyiv
DRIVING SIDE: Right
INTERNET CODE: .ua
TIME ZONE: UTC +2
COUNTRY CALLING CODE: +380
Borders on Black Sea & Sea of Azov (totalling 3,783km)
Neighbours
Poland
Slovakia
Hungary
Belarus
Russia
Moldova
population
43 million
religion
Ukrainian Orthodox – Kiev Patriarchate (19%); Orthodox (no particular jurisdiction) (16%);
Ukrainian Orthodox – Moscow Patriarchate (9%);
Ukrainian Greek Catholic (6%);
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox (1.7%);
Other (incl. Protestantism, Judaism, unaffiliated) (38%)
president & parliament
Head of State:
Pres. Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky (May 2019)
Prime Minister: Oleksiy Honcharuk
Party: Servant of the People
minority & majority groups
Ukrainian (77.8%), Russian (17.3%), Belarusian (0.6%), Moldovan (0.5%), Crimean Tatar (0.5%), Bulgarian (0.4%), Hungarian (0.3%), Romanian (0.3%), Polish (0.3%), Jewish (0.2%), Other (1.8%)
LANGUAGE
C U R R E N C Y &
E X C H A N G E R AT E
Hryvnia UAH (₴)
1 USD = 24.51 UAH
1 ZAR = 1.66 UAH
US dollars and Euros are the easiest currency to exchange in Ukraine. Sterling may also be exchanged at a more limited number of sites. ATMs are available and credit cards are widely used in cities. Cloning of credit and debit cards is common. You should be vigilant when using ATMs and not let your card out of your sight during transactions. Outside cities you should make sure you have sufficient cash in local currency. You should only use official exchange booths and make sure you’re given a receipt.
You’ll need to present your passport if you wish to exchange currency worth 150,000 UAH or more. Keep the receipt as you may need to produce it if you exchange money back on departure.
Subject to change
VACCINATIONS
No compulsory vaccinations
Recommended: Hepatitis A, B & Diphtheria-Tetanus-Polio vaccines
Note: If you travel with children, make sure that all their mandatory vaccinations are up to date
ELECTRICITY
Voltage Requirements:
220 / 230 V
Standard Frequency:
50 Hz
Power plugs & sockets are of type C & type F
TEMPERATURE
Winter: min. -5 °C – max. 0 °C
Summer: min. 14 °C – max. 26°C
Considered a temperate climate, and subtropical at the southern coast of Crimea
DIPLOMATIC TIES / AIRPORTS / CARRIERS / NGO’S
EMBASSY / CONSULAR PRESENCE
South African Embassy
9/2 Velyka Vasylkivska Street
Entrance 7
Floor 8
01004 Kyiv
Head of Mission: Ms N. Mjoli
For more options & info visit:
http://www.dirco.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/sau.htm
https://ua.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/
Tel: + 380 44 289 8840
Tel: + 380 44 338 2602
Tel: + 380 50 190 2511
[email protected] (Immigration & Civic Affairs)
MAIN AIRPORT(S)
30 airports in Ukraine, however because air travel is expensive for most Ukrainians & costs three-five times more than train tickets, only 10 airports are regarded as functional
Boryspil International Airport 50°20′41″N 30°53′36″E
Kyiv (Zhuliany – Igor Sikorsky) International Airport
Odesa International Airport 46°25′37″N 030°40′41″E, Odessa, Odessa Oblast
For a complete list, visit:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Republic of South Africa (RSA) – Visa required
United States of America (USA) – Visa not required for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period
For more information, check out this website for nationality requirements:
https://mfa.gov.ua/en/consular-affairs/entering-ukraine/visa-requirements-for-foreigners
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS & CARRIERS
Airline | Hub Airport(s) |
AtlasGlobal Ukraine | Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport |
Motor Sich Airlines | Zaporizhia International Airport Kyiv Sikorskiy International Airport |
SkyUp | Boryspil International Airport Kharkiv International Airport Odesa International Airport |
Ukraine International Airlines | Boryspil International Airport |
Yanair | Boryspil International Airport |
NGO’S OPERATING IN COUNTRY & CONTACT DETAILS
All religious communities and organizations must re-register with the LNR within six months of the law’s inception in 2014, in order to continue operating
List with NGO’s: https://ngoexplorer.org/country/ukr/show-charities
https://wango.org/resources.aspx?section=ngodir&sub=list&newsearch=1®ionID=151&col=ABC875
CIA: The World Factbook. Ukraine. Available from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/up.html
CIA: The World Factbook. Ukraine. Available from:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/up.html
Climates to Travel. Ukraine. Available from: https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/ukraine
Gardaworld. Ukraine Country Report. Available from: https://www.garda.com/crisis24/country-reports/ukraine
Gov.uk. Foreign Travel Advice: Ukraine. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ukraine/money
NationMaster. Ukraine. Available from: https://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/Religion/Religions/All
President of Ukraine. Available from: https://www.president.gov.ua/en/president/about-president
Last Updated 18 May 2020