To UK:
0044 – area code – number,
via mobile phone : +44 – are code – number

Fixed line:

Local calls are dialled without the area code.
Since October 2009, Ukraine has switched to the usual international dialling code system:
long distance calls: 0 – area code – number
International calls: 00 – country code – area code (without 0) – number
International calls are possible anywhere in Ukraine. In some hotels and offices international and / or long distance calls are blocked.
(Previously an “8” for long-distance calls and “8-10” for international calls had to be dialed In the beginning there will still some information of phone numbers under the old system. Those who dial according to the old system will hear an automatic notice (ukr / rus) that the dialing system has been changed)
It is possible that old telephone lines request to wait for a dial tone after dialling the first “0”.

Mobile communication: Recently the most part of Ukraine has been covered with mobile radio communication network (GSM 900/1800). Please, check before leaving, whether your provider has concluded roaming agreements with the Ukrainian provider and whether you can easily connect to it.
The largest Ukrainian providers are: KyivStar (www.kyivstar.net) and MTS (www.mts.com.ua). You can find their coverage maps at their web-sites.

Fire brigade 101

Police 102

Ambulance service 103

Gas service 104

Information inquiry 109

Elevator emergency 1586

Pharmacy information 1567

Private Hospital Boris
8 044 2380000
vul. V. Vasilkivska, 55A (Hotel Sport)
Kiew
www.boris.kiev.ua

Private Hospital Medicom
044 2340303
vul. Kondratuka, 8
Kiew
Tel.: 044 4328888, 5037777
www.medikom.kiev.ua

JEHF British Medical Clinic (in English, Ukrainian, Russian)
4, Glybochitskaya
Kyiv
+38 044 494 34 38, mobile 8066 400 6002
Working hours: Monday – Friday from 9.00 tо 13.00
The rest of the time automatic answering device offers the doctor’s mobile phone number in English.
Service is paid in cash during the visit (no credit cards). The patient is issued a bill to be submitted to the insurance company.

Pharmacies
24-Hour Pharmacy
Bessarabka Square 7, Kiev
Phone: +38 044 235 3856
Pharmacy information service: 1567

National language is Ukrainian. Except in Western Ukraine the most part of the population speak and understand (if they wish) Russian. In the Eastern Ukraine the Ukrainian language is almost not spoken.

In Kyiv you can perfectly manage with English. Most restaurants have a menu in English. English is also spoken in the large hotels; sometimes you can hear German and French.

The situation is a bit more complicated outside the limits of large cities. One should not expect to hear any foreign language even at hotels, railway stations and other public places.

National currency of Ukraine is the Hryvna (Gryvna), UAH. One Hryvna is divided into 100 Kopecks. Operations in other currencies are forbidden with only a few exceptions. Some shops and hotels do not accept any foreign currency any more.

Importing foreign currency is limited and beginning with a definite amount it should be declared or registered in the National Bank of Ukraine. Usual expenses for the travel are usually lower than the amount necessary to declare. More details available on the web-site of the Ukrainian Embassy (List of embassies of Ukraine http://www.mfa.gov.ua/mfa/en/305.htm) or custom service (http://www.customs.gov.ua).

Exchange bureaus: Euro and US dollars could be exchanged almost everywhere, other currency can be exchanged only in large cities in a few exchange bureaus. It is not recommended to exchange currency anywhere else, but exchange bureaus, due to the high risk of fraud. Moreover, it is illegal.

Cash dispensers/credit cards: Besides, a sufficient number of ATM (automated teller machines) is available for you to get cash via maestro or credit cards. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, others cards are less common. In Kyiv and other centres of Ukraine it is possible to pay via credit cards in restaurants and hotels.

But it is hardly possible even in the oblast centres and not possible at all in small towns. If there is such an option, it takes often a long time. Quite often, especially at restaurants, the cards might be misused, that is why it is strongly advised to keep an eye on your credit cards.

Traveller’s Cheque: not always accepted and you depend on bank business hours.

GMT +2h.

220 Volts AC, 50 Hz

Euro plugs fit in the majority of cases.

New Year: 1 January

Christmas: 7 January

Women’s Day: 8 March

Easter

Labour Day: 1 and 2 May
Victory Day: 9 May

Trinity Sunday

Constitution Day: 28 June

Independence Day: 24 August

If a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, then next Monday is not a working day.

Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchy), Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kyiv Patriarchy), Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Autocephalous), Greek Catholic Church (in communion with Rome), less numerous Jewish, Roman Catholic and Protestant Communities (Baptists in particular); Islam (primarily Crimean Tatars).

Kyiv is probably much safer than many of the Western European cities. In spite of it, you’d better be careful. Fist of all, the travellers are advised to take special care of their belongings as pick-pocketing and con artists are often reported, especially near hotels and sights. A car should be kept over night at a guarded parking place.