Improper use of bank cards outside Ukraine can lead not only to account blocking, but also to the loss of your own funds. Find out how to use your card safely to avoid getting into trouble and avoid unexpected expenses abroad

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

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In many countries of the world, cashless payments are much more convenient, faster and sometimes even cheaper than regular cash. And Ukrainian bank cards allow you to freely use your own funds outside the country. But to make using a card abroad profitable and safe, you need to know some of the nuances.

Ukrainian bank card abroad: general rules you need to know

Today, Ukrainians no longer need to inform bank representatives about their planned trips abroad, as all cards issued by Ukrainian banks are already open for transactions outside the country.

However, it is a good idea to seek advice on partner banks and official representative offices in the selected countries. This information will help you to withdraw funds from your card on more favourable terms, as the fee at ATMs of partner banks will be much lower. The specific percentage depends on the terms and conditions set out in the agreement. You can also get this information from your manager.

How can I pay with a card abroad?

When paying for purchases in stores or paying by bank transfer for any other services, you should pay attention to the currency you choose. To avoid additional costs due to exchange rate fluctuations, you should choose the local currency. If you choose another currency (including the hryvnia), the transaction will be processed at the rate of foreign banks, which is commercial and will differ significantly from the rate of Ukrainian banks.

In addition, if possible, it is recommended to give preference to payment via ApplePay and GooglePay. The limit of the National Bank of Ukraine for such transactions:

● no limit for currency cards of any Ukrainian bank;

● UAH 100,000 for all hryvnia cards of one bank.

Daily limits can be set (and changed if necessary) independently. There is no need to contact bank representatives. All settings can be found in your bank's mobile application.

Please note that for volunteers who have personally applied to the bank with the specified package of documents and confirmed their activities, when paying abroad for military goods, the monthly NBU limits of UAH 100 thousand may be cancelled.

Is it possible to withdraw funds from a hryvnia card in another currency: limit on cash withdrawals abroad

Ukrainians can freely withdraw money from their bank cards in the currency of the country of residence. Cash can be withdrawn from both foreign currency and hryvnia payment cards. The conversion will be made at the rate of the international payment system. The amount of commission fees will depend on the currency under the terms of the agreement.

In addition, it is worth noting that the NBU sets limits on cash withdrawals abroad:

● the equivalent of UAH 100,000 per day in the selected currency (for currency cards);

● UAH 12,500 per week and UAH 50,000 per month (for hryvnia payment cards).

When withdrawing cash, you should be very vigilant and carefully read all messages on the screen. After all, ATMs are often owned by private companies and are not banking institutions, and therefore the commission can be very high.

Keep in mind. Depending on the bank, the limits for withdrawing funds from a hryvnia card may vary, but the permitted withdrawal amounts will in any case not exceed UAH 12,500 per week and UAH 50,000 per month.

Mobile banking abroad

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, mobile applications of Ukrainian banks have significantly expanded their functionality for the convenience of customers. Ukrainians can use the following services:

● instant transfers of funds between cards (both their own and other people's);

● payment for services or transfers by bank details;

● opening a credit line or deposit accounts;

● purchase of car insurance, life and health insurance, tickets for all types of transport, etc;

● transferring and receiving international payments with automatic currency conversion.

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Paying abroad with a card: restrictions on the purchase of certain goods

On 10 September, restrictions were introduced on payments with Ukrainian cards abroad.

The National Bank has set a monthly limit of UAH 100 thousand in equivalent for payments abroad using Ukrainian payment cards to foreign currency accounts. The limits will apply to purchases of the following categories of goods:

● precious stones, metals and jewellery;
● silver jewellery;
● precious coins and stamps.

Restrictions are also introduced on transactions with agents and managers of real estate abroad.

A monthly limit of UAH 500,000 in the equivalent of a transaction with the merchant code 6513 (real estate agents and managers) is set. Transactions with such a code are used to pay management fees, accommodation fees and related commissions.

What should I do if the card is lost or expired? Algorithm of actions

If a payment card is lost (under any circumstances) abroad, Ukrainians should follow a clear algorithm:

● Using a mobile application, transfer all available funds from the lost card to any other card you own;

● Block the card that is no longer accessible through the application or by contacting the bank's representatives in the messenger/official website;

● if necessary, apply for a new online card in the mobile application. This service will allow you to fully use the card through the application on your phone and pay with it through ApplePay and GooglePay payment systems.

Which Ukrainian banks deliver bank cards abroad?

If your bank card has expired, you can open a virtual card through a mobile application. However, if this function is inconvenient or unavailable, you can use the service of delivering a bank card abroad.

Today, the following Ukrainian banks can deliver cards abroad:

● PrivatBank;
● Monobank;
● Sens Bank;
● PUMB;
● Kredobank;
● Raiffeisen Bank.

To order a card abroad, you should use the mobile application, select the card issuance service, and enter the required country and receiving address.

Restrictions on card-to-card transfers

Starting from 1 October 2024, the National Bank of Ukraine introduced temporary restrictions on the amount of card-to-card transfers by individuals. These measures were introduced to prevent the payment infrastructure from being used for illegal purposes.

From now on, the maximum amount that can be transferred from one card to another within a month is UAH 150,000. This restriction applies to all outgoing transfers from all customer accounts opened with the same bank.

It is worth noting that the restriction will be in effect temporarily, for six months - until 31 March 2025.

Please note! The restrictions do not apply to transfers using IBAN details. The NBU also assured that it will not affect the activities of volunteers.

Checking bank accounts of Ukrainians abroad

Ukraine is starting to check the accounts of its citizens abroad to ensure that they do not receive social benefits to which they are not entitled. This will also help identify those who are trying to avoid paying taxes.

These checks are based on the CRS (Currency Exchange of Financial Accounts) standard.

This will affect Ukrainians who receive social benefits abroad. This includes pensions, unemployment benefits and disability benefits.

The checks will be conducted in two stages. At the first stage, Ukraine will collect information about the bank accounts of its citizens abroad. In the second stage, Ukraine will verify this information to ensure that citizens are not receiving social benefits to which they are not entitled.

If it is found that a citizen is receiving social benefits to which they are not entitled, they may be deprived of those benefits. Citizens may also be fined for providing false information.

Important to know! Ukraine has the right to check the accounts of its citizens abroad. This is done to make sure that citizens do not receive social benefits to which they are not entitled. If you receive social benefits abroad, it is important to be honest and provide accurate information about your income and expenses.

For more information on checking bank accounts of Ukrainians abroad, please follow the link.

We remind you! A tax refund for working in Europe can bring you additional funds. To find out how to file a tax return and get a refund of overpaid taxes, follow this link.

Photo: Unsplash/Clay Banks

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Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

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