The issue of communication abroad has become particularly acute for many Ukrainians. Mobile Internet allows you to stay connected, and it is important to choose the best option between roaming from Ukrainian operators and local SIM cards. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of both options to choose the best way to stay connected

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine

BUY

The choice between roaming with Ukrainian operators and a local SIM card in Europe for Internet access depends on the country, length of stay, and special needs of the user. Let's take a look at the conditions offered by Ukrainian operators and compare them with local European tariffs.

Roaming from Ukrainian operators

After the news that Ukraine and Europe are planning to equalize the cost of mobile tariffs and that Ukraine will be able to join the Roam like at home roaming zone with the EU, it makes sense to find out how profitable it is to use Ukrainian telecom operators abroad.

Kyivstar provides an opportunity to use Roam like at home tariff, which allows you to use your tariff in more than 27 countries, including Poland, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Latvia and others. For some tariffs, up to 20 GB of Internet is available, as well as UAH 1 per minute of calls or SMS. Additionally, you can buy 10 GB of Internet for 350 UAH, which covers the main European countries, but is valid only for a month, which can be beneficial for short trips or vacations.

Vodafone offers packages of up to 10 GB for roaming under the terms of “Affordable Roaming”. The service is automatically activated for subscribers in 30 European countries and also includes 70 minutes of calls and basic Internet. When the packages are exhausted, you can additionally purchase Internet packages: 1 GB for 50 UAH or 3 GB for 120 UAH. Vodafone may be less convenient due to the limited amount of data, which may not be suitable for those who plan to travel for a long time.

lifecell offers roaming within the “Gigabytes without Borders” tariff, where most tariffs allow you to use the same amount of Internet as in Ukraine - up to 40 GB of Internet, without connecting separate promotions. You just need to pay your tariff! This makes lifecell the best operator for roaming. Additional packages are available: 5 GB for 7 days for 100 UAH, 15 GB for 14 days for 200 UAH, or 40 GB for 21 days for 450 UAH, which is the most profitable option for active Internet users traveling in Europe.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Alternative: local SIM cards

Local operators in European countries, such as Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, offer flexible prepaid tariffs that are often more favorable for long trips. For example:

In Poland, Orange and Play offer packages with 20-30 GB of Internet for 30-50 zlotys (about 300-400 UAH).

In Germany, tariff packages from O2 and Vodafone DE provide up to 20 GB for 20-30 euros.

In the Czech Republic, prepaid packages from T-Mobile with 10-15 GB for 15-20 euros are available, which can be convenient for those who plan to actively use the Internet and stay in the country for a long time.

Earlier, we wrote about how Ukrainians abroad can receive compensation for damaged housing under the eVodnovnennya program.

To summarize. What to choose: roaming or local SIM?

Ukrainian operators still provide favorable roaming conditions for subscribers traveling in Europe, but local SIM cards may be a better option for longer stays, especially for refugees or those traveling abroad for work or study.

For short-term travel or crossing the borders of several countries, the best option is to use roaming of Ukrainian operators. This allows you to stay in touch without additional costs for a new SIM card.

If you are going to stay in one country for a long time or use the Internet frequently, consider purchasing a local SIM card. This will help you save money on large Internet and call packages.

Just a reminder. Ukrainian doctors in Poland will no longer be able to use the procedures for obtaining the right to work in Poland.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2024, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.