Ukraine (UA)

EU-candidate country with a resilient tech sector, very low day-to-day costs by European standards, rich culture, and a 2026 expat experience shaped by martial law, air alerts, reconstruction, and fast-moving rules.

Capital: Kyiv

Region: Europe

Language: Ukrainian

Currency: UAH (UAH)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 25)

Emergency: 112

Healthcare in Ukraine

Ukraine has a tax-funded public health system under the National Health Service of Ukraine, plus a large private sector. Wartime pressures, regional damage, displacement, and staffing shortages mean expats usually rely on private clinics for routine care and international insurance for major events.

Variable: strong private clinics in Kyiv/Lviv and major cities, constrained public services in damaged or overloaded areas.

Public healthcare: National Health Service of Ukraine

NHSU

Eligibility:Ukrainian citizens and certain registered residents under programme rules; foreigner access should be confirmed case by case.

Monthly cost:Funded through taxation for eligible residents; private insurance/out-of-pocket for most expats.

What's included:

Emergency stabilisation
primary care for eligible residents
selected essential medicines
maternity and specialist packages for eligible patients

Not included (or co-pay required):

Many private services
international evacuation
premium dental
private rooms
some medicines and diagnostics

Co-payments:Officially contracted services may be covered for eligible patients, but out-of-pocket costs and informal expectations can still arise.

How to enrol:Eligible residents choose/sign a declaration with a family doctor. Foreigners often use private clinics instead.

Waiting period:Eligibility and local availability vary.

Private healthcare: Private clinics and hospitals

Who can use it:Anyone who can pay or has accepted insurance

When it makes sense:Routine expat care, English-speaking doctors, diagnostics, dental, specialist appointments, and continuity of medication.

Monthly cost:Local plans may be modest; international plans with evacuation often USD 80-400+/month.

Major providers:

DobrobutMedikomOxford MedicalInto-SanaAdonisLelekalocal regional clinics

Accessing care

GP system

Private family doctors can be booked directly; public family doctor declarations require eligibility and local registration.

Specialist referral

Private specialists can usually be booked directly. Public referral pathways use eHealth for eligible patients.

Emergency care

Call 103 or 112. Private hospitals may require payment guarantee after stabilisation.

Out of hours

Large private hospitals and ambulance services operate 24/7 in major cities.

Prescriptions

Many medicines are available through pharmacies, but controlled substances and some chronic medications require Ukrainian prescriptions.

Dental

Mostly private and often high quality/cost-effective; verify sterilisation and implant credentials.

Mental health

Private therapists, NGO trauma support, and online care are common; war trauma capacity is under pressure.

Maternity

Public and private maternity options exist; check shelter, generator, neonatal, and evacuation capabilities.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Buy insurance including war/terrorism and evacuation if available
Identify nearest shelter-capable hospital
Register with private GP/clinic
Carry prescriptions and translations
Keep emergency contacts offline

Finding English-speaking doctors:Best availability in Kyiv, Lviv, and private international clinics; limited elsewhere.

International insurance:Confirm exclusions for war, terrorism, missile strikes, mines, evacuation, and travel to restricted regions.

Emergency card info:Carry blood type, allergies, medications, insurance number, embassy contact, and Ukrainian emergency phrases.

EHIC notes:EU EHIC generally does not provide Ukraine-wide coverage like within the EU/EEA.

Pharmacies (Apteka)

Hours:Many pharmacies open 08:00-21:00; 24-hour pharmacies exist in big cities but may pause during alerts/curfew.

After-hours / emergency:Ask 103/112 or private clinic for urgent medication pathways.

Prescription rules:E-prescriptions exist for many drugs; controlled and specialised medicines require doctor oversight.

Available over-the-counter:

pain relief
cold medicine
antihistamines
basic antibiotics only with prescription where enforced
first-aid supplies

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	Often covered/reimbursed depending policy
GP visit (private pay)	700-1,500 UAH private
Specialist visit	1,000-2,500 UAH private
Emergency visit	Varies from covered public emergency to several thousand UAH private
MRI scan	3,000-8,000 UAH
Prescription average	100-1,500 UAH depending medicine
Dental check-up	800-2,000 UAH
Baby delivery	Public/eligible low cost; private packages can be tens of thousands UAH

Premium Section

Healthcare

Unlock the complete Healthcare guide for Ukraine — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.

Become a Supporter

Support the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere